Danny DeKeyser was a force for the Western Michigan Broncos during his three seasons in Kalamazoo. The defenseman was a favorite of Bronco fans and hockey fans in general. His NHL career started slowly as he battled injuries early on, but the Detroit defenseman is in the middle of a bounce-back season and is one of the bright spots on a struggling Red Wings team.
Western Michigan
DeKeyser played a key role in the Broncos’ 2012 CCHA championship team, as well as bringing the Broncos back to the NCAA tournament.
During his freshman year, 2010-11, he scored five goals while racking up 12 assists to earn himself a spot on the CCHA All-Rookie team, as well as the CCHA All-Tournament team. During the 2011 CCHA tournament, he helped the Broncos shut down a high powered Michigan Wolverines offense in the conference semis and helped lead the Broncos to the conference championship game. Unfortunately, they lost in the conference finals to Miami (OH), but were able to make their first NCAA tournament birth since 1996.
Sophomore year saw similar success for DeKeyser as he once again tallied five goals and 12 assists. This was good enough to make him a Second Team All-American, Second Team All-Conference, CCHA Best Defenseman and was, once again, added to the CCHA All-Tournament team. He lead the Broncos to a conference tournament championship, as well as back to back NCAA tournament appearances.
In his third and final season, he only scored two goals but assisted on 13 as he earned his way to first team all-conference honors and his second CCHA Best Defenseman award. He left Western Michigan after his junior season to play for his hometown NHL team, the Detroit Red Wings.
Red Wings
DeKeyser joined the Wings squad just weeks after his WMU career ended. He only played in 11 games in 2013 to keep his rookie status for the next season. He had a great rookie season, totaling four goals, 19 assists, and 116 blocked shots. This earned him the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year.
He has battled some injuries during his Red Wings career, but in 2016 they signed him to a six-year $30 million contract. He’s only played in 26 games this season, but has scored three goals and assisted on nine more. On February 1st, he scored the OT game winner for the Wings against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.