Posted: Mar 19, 2019 5:00 AM CT | Last Updated: March 19A Manitoban from Pimicikamak Cree Nation is headed to the National Hockey League.
"He's a skilled puck-moving defenceman," said Alfie Michaud, Keeper's coach at the University of Maine and a fellow Manitoban, from Selkirk. "He moves [the puck] quick, he thinks very quick, he's got a lot of upside to him because he's such a raw talent.""It's bittersweet to see him go, because you see where he was and what he's become. But at the same time, at least you feel that you can keep helping him and grow.
"His community has been going through a lot of tough times here, probably within the last five years. And so to have him come from that community, I guess he's that beacon of hope for a lot of those kids," Michaud said.Life away from home hasn't always been easy for Keeper, Michaud said. When he first arrived at the university, Michaud said, Keeper bought several plane tickets to fly back home, but always cancelled them, eventually maxing out his credit card.