Shot Left Height 1.78 m Position Winger Role Ice hockey player Career end 1974 | Name Larry Keenan Career start 1961 Playing career Weight 80 kg | |
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Keenan Feeling The Blues
Lawrence Christopher Keenan (born October 1, 1940 in North Bay, Ontario) is a former professional ice hockey left wing. He played in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers.
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In his NHL career, Keenan appeared in 234 games. He scored 38 goals and added 64 assists. He is 10th in Blues all-time playoff scoring with 15 goals in 46 playoff games. He was called up for a pair of games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1961-62 before spending six years in the AHL and WHL. When the league expansion in 1967 made journeymen a desirable commodity, Keenan found himself back in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues. He formed a hard-working forward line with Terry Crisp and Jim Roberts.
Keenan scored the first-ever goal in St. Louis Blues history on October 11, 1967 against Minnesota North Stars' goalie Cesare Maniago. He was also on the ice for Bobby Orr's famous 1970 Stanley Cup Finals clinching goal—a scoring play that began when Orr pinched at the blue line and blocked Keenan's attempt to clear the zone with a pass to Red Berenson. Keenan describes the play, saying the goal wasn't great. It was a great photo of a goal.
Keenan was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 4, 1970 along with Jean-Guy Talbot for Bobby Baun.
His career ended prematurely due to injuries.
Life After NHL
Keenan went on to become president of the North Bay Trappers midget AAA and led the club for 23 years from 1986 to 2009. Keenan and manager Art Tiernay operated the club since the Great North Midget League was formed in 1986.
Personal
Keenan's son Cory played junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers as a defenceman, was drafted in the sixth round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers, and ended up playing professionally in Europe. Cory was on the 1990 Memorial Cup all star team. As one of four siblings, Larry Keenan had three sisters growing up.