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Michigan Avenue - 2015 - Issue 7 - November - Duncan Keith

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Duncan Keith will never be mistaken for a native Chicagoan—his Ontario accent is as thick as the province's famous maple syrup—but in sports terms he's as close as they come. Drafted by Chicago in 2002 and making his NHL debut in 2005, the 32-year-old Fort Frances native has never not been a Blackhawk, playing every game of his career thus far with the team. And what a career it has been, as part of a squad whose three Cups in six years has fans and foes alike throwing around the word "dynasty." As arguably the NHL's best defensive player (with two James Norris Memorial Trophy awards to prove it), Keith has been a crucial part of the team's success—and with a contract set to keep him in Chicago until 2022, he'll continue to be. As the Roscoe Village resident recently prepared for the coming season, he sat down with Michigan Avenue to talk fatherhood, frozen custard, and why he frmly believes that more championships are in his team's future. This was the frst time in 75 years that the Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup on home ice. How did that feel? That made it really special; our fans deserved it. To be able to win the third one at home in front of our fans was just a surreal moment for everybody. I got some good video on my iPhone, so I always fip back and look at those things—the skating around on the ice, and video of the fans. Three championships in six years is an incredible achievement. After so much success, what keeps you motivated? Every year is different. But we've got that experience now where we know that come playoff time, there are certain times in a game and in a series where you have to step up and try to answer the bell. It's easier said than done, but we've got a lot of great motivated players on our team, and we've got a lot of talent—you can work hard and you can have all the desire you want, but you have to have guys that can put the puck in the net, and we've certainly got that. We all just feed off one another. It's a good environment and a good culture. What makes this team special? The thing I enjoy about this team is how everybody's so commit- ted to being their best, never being satisfed. You'd think that after winning one or two [championships], the guys might change, but nobody's really changed. We've all stayed true to what we believe in, what we want to be, and what we feel like we can accomplish here. I think all the guys in the locker room would say the same thing—that we want to keep it going. We want to keep winning. You mentioned Patrick Sharp, and obviously with the joy of the Cup came the bittersweetness of saying goodbye to him and the other players who were traded. How do you process that? It's been a little different, to be honest; I've never played with a guy that long and then all of a sudden they get traded. It's a tough loss when you lose a guy like Sharpie, as well as Saad and Johnny Oduya—those guys were big parts of our team as well. Unfortunately, that's the way it is now; it's the business side of the game, where there are going to be changes made, new guys come in, and you try to bring them into the fold as quickly as we can, and hope they get off to a good start. Let's talk about your charity, Keith Relief. What inspired it? I'm making a pretty good living with the Blackhawks, and the people in this city have been so nice to me and my family and my friends, it's just a way to give back the best I can. I started thinking of different ideas and fnally decided on one to help alleviate the burden of families stuck in a medical crisis, when they can't pay their bills. It's been great so far, and we've helped a lot of people. You've had so much success in your career—does any single accolade stand out from the rest? It's tough to put one ahead of the other, the Stanley Cup or the Olympic gold medal. When you play as hard as you can and for as long of a season as we did, it's tough to beat that feeling of being a team and battling with them all year long and then the two-month playoffs grind and being able to come out on top and know you're the champion. To me there isn't really any better feeling than that. I don't know if it's more The Ice Man He's won three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and the Conn Smythe trophy as the 2015 playoffs MVP—not to mention the hearts of hockey fans across Chicago. But as far as Blackhawks star defenseman Duncan Keith is concerned, he's just getting started. By J.P. Anderson Photography by Shane McCauley opposite page: Shearling jacket, Moncler ($4,260). 33 E. Oak St., 312-361-8573; moncler.com. Cashmere turtleneck, Brunello Cucinelli ($2,495). 939 N. Rush St., 312-266-6000; brunellocucinelli.com. Jeans, Rag & Bone ($185). Bloomingdale's, 900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-4460; bloomingdales.com MiCHiganaVeMag.COM 107

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