Player Profile Presented by Dodge: Liam Keeler
Edmonton, AB – There is nothing better than a locally-sourced product, as is the case for the Edmonton Oil Kings and homegrown centreman Liam Keeler – a product that has aged extremely well.
Entering his fourth season with his hometown Oil Kings, the 6-foot-2 182-pound Keeler has started to see his game reach new heights. Known through his first three years in the league as a speedy, checking centreman that could kill penalties, he says now in year four he is understanding the game on a different level.
“I think it was a big learning curve for me early in my career understanding how to play a full 200-foot game and be someone who can be relied on in important situations down the stretch in a game,” recounted Keeler on his early days in the league. “When you’re young you don’t understand where to be at times, but I think as you grow up you learn and understand the game more. It becomes easier to play and as I’ve grown from game one to 200 it’s been crazy to see that growth personally and in the team. It’s been awesome to be a part of.”
This season Keeler has become that full 200-foot threat as he is off to his best offensive start in his career with two goals and five assists through just nine games while still maintaining his reputation as a top penalty killer and defensive stalwart.
He, along with Jalen Luypen, have played the bulk of this season on a line together, enjoying what seemed like instant chemistry. Keeler, however, noted it’s something that began to take shape long before the team broke training camp in February.
“He came and stayed with me for three or four months this summer,” said Keeler. “We had the opportunity to train and skate together and I think we developed a lot of chemistry there. When you live with a guy for that long you’re going to get really close and build a close bond.”
That bond has turned into a versatile attack for the Oil Kings, as they’ve burned opposing teams at even strength and given them fits while shorthanded.
“When Loops (Luypen) and I we were living together this off-season we both put an onus on ourselves to get better offensively,” added Keeler on both Luypen’s and his own breakout performances. “We just continue to get pucks to the net and generate offence for our team and we know if we play hard and play the right way we know chances and opportunities will come, and we just need to continue to capitalize on those.”
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to see Keeler hitting his stride on the offensive side of things as he was coming off a career high in goals (12) despite the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. Through 204 career regular season games, he has now amassed 25 goals and 44 assists. Earlier this year he skated in his 200th career game in an Oil Kings uniform, making him just the 25th player in franchise history to hit that milestone.
“It’s crazy to think about, it’s been a long journey,” noted Keeler on the accomplishment. “It was always something I looked forward to and seeing guys play game 200 or 300, it’s always something I strived to achieve. It seems like just yesterday I was playing number one making my WHL debut in Calgary.”
He made his debut with the Oil Kings on December 30, 2016 at the Saddledome in Calgary against the Hitmen after being called up from the South Side Athletic Club U18 AAA team. That season saw him tear up the AMHL at just 15 years old, leading his team in scoring, and seventh league-wide, with 11 goals and 24 assists in 31 games.
Keeler’s minor hockey career started with SWAT before moving on to SSAC in bantam. He captained his U15 team in his WHL Draft year, putting up staggering offensive numbers with 26 goals and 51 assists in 34 games, good for second in league scoring, and was selected as league MVP.
Through all his accomplishments in the WHL and in minor hockey, Keeler says when he looks back on it all, perhaps his greatest accomplishment was getting to wear the crown for his hometown.
“It’s hard for me to even put into words,” said Keeler. “I remember being a junior high kid being only 12 or 13 years old and watching the Oil Kings on a ‘Hockey Hooky’ day and it’s crazy how it’s come full-circle for me playing for this team, my hometown team.
“I always tell the guys how special it is for me. I grew up watching this team and now to be a part of it for four, going on five years, it’s crazy. I had a lot of time to reflect on it during the time off and it really just hit home how much it really means to me being raised in this city and having the opportunity to represent the Oil Kings. It’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Keeler and his Oil Kings return to action Friday night when they travel to Red Deer to take on the Rebels. Catch all the action at oilkings.ca/radio.
