In 2017, when the NHL celebrated its centennial anniversary, Keith was voted among the 100 greatest players ever. Meanwhile, in his spare time, Keith achieved gold medals with Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Only five Blackhawks have played more games for the franchise: Stan Mikita (1,396), Bobby Hull (1,036) and Eric Nesterenko (1,013) All were forwards. On Saturday night, Keith's frequent blueline partner, Seabrook at 1,009 took over fourth from defenseman Bob Murray.
Keith was drafted in the second round and 54th overall in 2002. He split time with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League and Michigan State, then turned pro in 2003, spending two seasons with the Norfolk Admirals, the Blackhawks' farm club in the American Hockey League. In 2005, he joined the Blackhawks and never looked back.
Given the fetid state of hockey in Chicago at that time, Keith made his mistakes in relative privacy, but they were few. He gradually became a marathon man, consuming massive minutes. If Keith had grown up to be a mail carrier, he would take a walk on his day off.
At the start of this season, it was posited in certain domains that reduced ice time might benefit Keith. He greeted that proposition with a cold stare.
"I don't know about that," said Keith, who logged 25:52 in Thursday night's overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. "I didn't play my best last year. We'll take it day by day, hour by hour, but I feel good. I feel hungry."
And as Keith is wont to remind on occasion, a hungry wolf hunts best.
For pregame warmup Saturday night, all the Blackhawks wore No. 2 sweaters. But not all of them could glide on those skates like the real No. 2, Duncan Keith, just like he did as that kid who was too small, dreaming the dream. And he's only 35.