Alumni News From Mites to the Majors Danny DeKeyser, ‘08 Detroit Red Wings Defenseman He was a Mini-Mite, playing hockey at the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena. He missed lots of Thanksgivings, and headed for tournaments the day after Christmas for years. He went on to play junior hockey, and then college hockey at Western Michigan University, wearing #5, the same number as retired Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Nick Lidstrom. And now, he’s a Detroit Red Wing, playing on the very ice at Joe Louis Arena where he watched numerous games from the stands, and realizing his dream of playing professional hockey. 24
Danny DeKeyser, ‘08, grew up as the youngest of seven children, and attended St. Mary’s in Mt. Clemens before his four years at De La Salle. Through his senior year, he carried the cross at Sunday masses at St. Peter’s, also in Mt. Clemens. And played some hockey. And had part-time jobs waiting tables at the Beach Grill in St. Clair Shores and later bartending at the Tin Fish in Algonac. During his senior year, Danny played for the Detroit Compuware team, followed by a two-year stint in junior hockey, with stops in British Columbia and Sioux City, Iowa. Then, it was on to college hockey, at Western Michigan University, where
he earned CCHA honors each year, including First Team for the 2012-13 season, and Best Defensive Defenseman in consecutive years. “It was a little weird, being two years older than the other freshmen, but a lot of players do that.” The 6’3”, 198 lb. defenseman, who shoots left, was pursued by multiple teams around the NHL, but decided continuing to play college hockey for the Broncos, improving his skills, and working on his degree, was the better course. “I didn’t want to lose a year of college playing in the minors. I loved college, and didn’t want to leave. I talked to my parents about it and they were supportive of me no matter what I decided. I knew that once I left I wouldn’t be going back.” After the college hockey season ended in the Spring of 2013, Danny played briefly for the Grand Rapids Griffins, before signing a two-year contract with the Red Wings in late March 2013. He played in 11 Wings’ games at the end of their season. “You kind of pinch yourself. You’re playing pro hockey. Especially at the start, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m settled in now, but at the start of the season I was nervous. I grew up admiring Federov. Yzerman. Lidstrom. And now here I am playing for the Wings.” Danny returned to Kalamazoo in the
Photo by Dave Reginek, Team Photographer, Detroit Red Wings summer of 2013, and his Western Michigan University apartment, to continue his college classes. He is a Communications Major at WMU, with 34 credits to go. Now on the second line for the Wings, Danny says he is mentored by captain Henrik Zetterberg, and first line defensemen Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson. “They’re veterans. They know the ropes. They’ve been through everything. Most of them speak pretty good English.” He says the coaches on the bench say something when they need to. “We watch video a couple of times a week.” A sportswriter for bleacherreport.com wrote a November 2013 article, “Why Detroit Red Wings’ Danny DeKeyser Could be the Next Nicklas Lidstrom.” Danny says, “That’s very flattering, but I would have to talk to the author and see what he was thinking. Lidstrom was a once-in-a-generation talent. A seven-time Norris Trophy Winner. Probably one of the top two defensemen of all time. But it’s a great compliment, and I’ll take it.”
