Photo: Cherie Morgan
PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce defenceman Larry Keenan (’05) has been named the team’s Playoff MVP, the team announced Wednesday.
“Larry elevated his game throughout the entire two-month playoff run. His play with and without the puck was a major contributor to our 14 playoff wins,” said Vees’ President, General Manager, and Head Coach, Fred Harbinson.
Keenan, 19, led all Vees’ defenceman in the BCHL Playoffs with nine points (2G, 7A) in 22 games. The Detroit Red Wings’ prospect elevated his game to a new level in the postseason, as he was integral piece to the Vees run to the Fred Page Cup Final.
Keenan’s two goals came in crunch time, as they both came with the Vees’ net empty for the extra attacker. Keenan’s first playoff was against the Vernon Vipers in Round Two. His goal tied Game Five with less than two minutes left, which led to the Vees winning in overtime to clinch the series. He did it again against Salmon Arm in the Interior Final, tying Game Four in the dying moments to force overtime.
The Midhurst, Ontario, product tallied 30 points (6G, 24) in 53 regular season games. Next season Keenan will play at University of Massachusetts in Hockey East. The 6’4, 194-pound defenceman was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round, 117th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft.
