Former Canucks Defenseman Retires Due to Injury Complications

This former Vancouver Canucks player was quite a success story for Indigenous athletes, but his career was cut short because of a complicated leg injury.

Mar 28, 2019; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Brady Keeper (25) checks Ottawa Senators defenseman Christian Wolanin (86) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images / Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Brady Keeper has been forced into an earlier-than-expected retirement due to lingering issues after having surgery to repair a broken leg, which was successful in terms of fixing the structural damage; however, the pain hasn't gone away, though he made a brief return during the 2022-23 season with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League.

Former Panther and ex #Canuck Brady Keeper announced his retirement via an Instagram post. Cites lingering issues from surgery done to repair broken leg injury sustained during a scrimmage back in 2021-22

Brutal way for his career to close.
All the best to him in retirement! pic.twitter.com/e8LOkfJ3Af

— Cody Severtson (@CodySevertson) August 6, 2025

Keeper, a native of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, paved the way and carried the torch of past Indigenous hockey players, proving that despite the odds and a difficult path to the best league in the world, hard work, determination and belief can go a long way.

On the ice, he was a stout defenseman who played with a physical edge and possessed some underrated puck-moving ability, thanks to his strong skating, great instincts, and excellent defensive details.

After years of breaking barriers and representing Indigenous excellence on the ice, Brady Keeper has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey.

From Pimicikamak Cree Nation to the NHL, Brady’s journey inspired countless young Indigenous athletes. 🧡🪶🏒 pic.twitter.com/Pt2He1fyed

— Hockey Indigenous (@HKYIndigenous) August 6, 2025

There may be no highlight packages like those of Indigenous athlete and former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. He also doesn't have a laundry list of opponents who looked worse off for challenging him to drop the mitts like Jordan Tootoo, but his impact was huge.

Keeper, despite the pain and having a rod in his knee to stabilize the bones, continued pushing for a return to professional hockey and had signed with the Glasgow Clan in the Elite Ice Hockey League, in hopes of making a return during the 2025-26 season, a true representation of his mental and physical toughness.

The Clan announced that they were releasing him from his contract, an admittedly frustrating decision for Keeper, but one that was certainly for the best. Keeper's health is of the utmost importance, which didn't make his decision any easier, but it was the best decision for him and his family.

Sep 27, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Brady Keeper (36) defends the puck against Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / David Kirouac-Imagn Images

His path to the NHL was also that of an undrafted player, who played out his collegiate career with the University of Maine, before signing as a Free Agent with the Florida Panthers, the team that allowed him to live out his dream.

Keeper's second professional season came in 2019-20, and his time with the Springfield Thunderbirds was his most successful statistically. The six-foot-two, 196-pound right-shot defenseman posted 6-12-18- and a modest 108 penalty minutes, a testament to his willingness to engage in the physical side of the game.

All the best to the 29-year-old in life after hockey, and his future endeavors.

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