Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff noted that Red Wings 2023 draft pick Larry Keenan has some ties to the organization:
Detroit Red Wings prospect Larry Keenan is carrying a well-known name in hockey circles. His also hoping to carry on the legacy of that name.
His grandfather Larry Keenan would play 234 NHL games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers between 1961-72. The elder Keenan, 82, skated in three Stanley Cup finals with the Blues and for the Sabres during their inaugural NHL campaign in 1970-71.
“I know he was a pretty good player,” said grandson Larry Keenan, at 18 too young to have been around to witness his granddad’s NHL career. “He got some injuries but he scored the first goal for St. Louis. He prides himself quite a bit over that. He was also on the ice for Bobby Orr’s famous (Stanley Cup-winning) goal in 1970. He enjoyed playing.”
The Keenan name also carries some significant weight with Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper.
“His grandfather played at St. Mike’s with my dad (Bruce) back in the day,” Draper said. “He came into the interview room and said, ‘My grandfather played with your dad.’ I don’t know if he was trying to make me feel old saying his grandfather and my dad, but pretty cool story.”
