Keith Primeau

Keith Primeau was born in Toronto November 24, 1971. Keith and his family moved to Whitby in 1980 where Keith attended F.M.Heard Public School, Whitby Senior (now known as Leslie McFarlane Public School) and then Anderson C.V.I.

While at Whitby Senior, Keith became an accomplished trombone player under the direction of Bruce Court.

A product of the Brooklin-Whitby Minor Hockey Association, Keith was a valuable member of the two time OMHA “AA” Minor Bantam Championship team in 1984-85 and 1985-86. When he was fifteen years old Keith was drafted by the OHL Hamilton Steelhawks in 1987-88. He later moved with the team to Niagara Falls where they became the Niagara Falls Thunder. In 1989-90, while playing with the Thunder, Keith won the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the OHL Scoring champion with 127 points. In 1991-92, Keith was a member of the AHL Calder Cup Championship team, the Adirondak Red Wings.

Keith scored his first NHL goal with the Detroit Red Wings against Buffalo on December 11, 1990 and played six seasons with the Detroit Red Wings (1990-96) where he appeared in 363 games and amassed a total of 97 goals and 133 assists. Keith scored his 100th NHL career goal against Florida while playing for the Hartford Whalers (1996-97). Keith appeared in his 500th career game on March 12, 1998 as a member and team Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes (1997-99).

On January 27, 2000, Keith played his first game as a Philadelphia Flyer against Florida, scored his first goal as a Flyer on January 29, 2000 against Montreal and a day later on January 30, 2000 he marked his 600th NHL appearance. On March 8, 2001, against Calgary, Keith registered his first NHL hat trick.

Keith was the recipient of the prestigious Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award as the Flyer who best illustrated character, dignity, and respect for the sport on and off the ice. On October 21, 2000, Keith was named the 13th team Captain in the history of the Flyers organization. In 2002-03, Keith won the “Star of the Game”. Keith played with the Flyers from 2000 to 2006.

Additional highlights of Keith’s career include: his selection as assistant Captain and team member of the 1997 Team Canada World Champions; member of the 1998 Team Canada Olympic team in Nagano and selection to two NHL All Star game appearances – with Carolina in 1998-99 and with Philadelphia in 2003-04. Keith’s illustrious career, spanning 909 games in 15 seasons and 266 goals with a total 619 points, came to an emotional close in September 2006 when Keith announced his retirement , having been forced to miss 73 games due to a concussion.

Currently, Keith resides in New Jersey with his wife Lisa and children Corey, Kylie, Chayse and Cayden. When not coaching one of his kids’ teams, Keith continues his Durham ties through his affiliation with the Durham Fury Hockey Club.