Ex-Canucks defenceman Brady Keeper retires amid lingering issues from leg surgery

Former Abbotsford Canucks defenceman Brady Keeper has announced his retirement, according to a post from his Instagram account on Wednesday.

Keeper stated that his reason for retirement was due to lingering issues from a surgery to repair the tibia and fibula in his left leg during his time in the Vancouver Canucks organization. The injury occurred during his first training camp with the Canucks after signing a two-year contract with a $762,500 cap hit in 2021. Keeper missed the entirety of the 2021-22 season before spending the second year of his deal in the AHL with Abbotsford.

“Some of you may have already heard, but I wanted to share a bit more about why I made this decision,” said Keeper via Instagram.

“Back in the 2021-2022 season, I broke my tibia and fibula while in Vancouver. After a long year of rehab during that season and throughout the summer, I was able to come back and play in the 2022-2023 season.

“But to be honest, my leg never felt the same. Even with continued rehab, the pain remained. The metal rod that was inserted into my knee to stabilize the bone and make it stronger has caused ongoing pain ever since. It’s been a constant battle-not just physically, but mentally as well.

“In my heart, I still want to play. But my body is no longer allowing me to. This summer, after ramping up on-ice training and workouts, I had to face the reality: I won’t be able to continue playing professionally anymore.

“Through it all, my wife and boys have stood beside me through every season. Shaylyn has been my rock—her support has been endless, and without her, none of this would’ve been possible.

“As I step into this next chapter of life, I’m looking forward to being home more. Playing the game I love took me away from my family in Cross Lake for a long time. I’ve missed time with my nieces and nephews as they’ve grown, drifted apart from my siblings, and most of all, I’ve missed precious time with my grandparents, who hold such a special place in my heart.

“I want to thank everyone who has believed in me. I truly gave it my all and tried my best to help pave the way for Indigenous hockey players.”

Keeper had agreed to a contract with the Glasgow Clan of the Scottish EIHL for the 2025-26 season, but of course will not end up playing for them. He had also signed with the Slovakian club HK Poprad for the 2024-25 season, as announced by the team, but there is no record of him playing a game with the club.

The 29-year-old spent two seasons with the Canucks organization, although never played for the NHL club. He did play for Abbotsford for the 2022-23 season, where he had one goal and five assists for six points in 35 games, along with one goal in two playoff games.

A college free agent signing by the Florida Panthers in 2019, Keeper retires with just two career regular season NHL games, played in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons with Florida, failing to register a point in either game. He also got into one playoff game for the Panthers in 2020, where he was also held without a point.