By Craig Beauchemin

Former North Star wins top defenceman at Allan Cup

Apr 18, 2016 | 3:54 PM

Former Battlefords North Stars defenceman Derek Keller was named the top defenceman at Canada’s Senior AAA National tournament, the Allan Cup, over the weekend in Steinbach, Manitoba.

The Wilkie native who now works in Lloydminster, played for the North Stars for two seasons from 2004 to 2006 and was named to the SJHL’s all rookie team his first year. During his second year, Keller was named a first team all-star. When asked to play for the Shellbrook Elks at the Allan Cup, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I actually played with Shellbrook two years ago so when they asked me to play for them this year, knowing they had a direct route to the Allan Cup, it was really a no brainer to join them,” Keller said, adding he knew nearly all the players on the team from his time there.

The Allan Cup is the national senior amateur men’s tournament, which has the final game broadcast on national television.

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“Most guys there have played professional hockey and there’s even a handful of guys who played in the NHL. It’s guys who have lost a step over the past few years for sure, but are still really smart hockey players and can play at a high level,” he said with a laugh.

Keller said the event brought him back to his regular playing days of staying at hotels and having game day skates to prepare for games.

Keller spent four seasons at St. Lawrence University from 2006 to 2010, racking up 13 goals and 24 assists over his 133-game NCAA career. He then went on to play two seasons in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays, before a season in England with the Fife Flyers.

After recording five assists in four games and being named player of the game in three out of four games, Keller was named the top defenceman at the tournament, which he says came as quite a surprise.

“There were a few defenceman there who had played a handful of games in the NHL so I definitely didn’t expect to win that. I just wanted to help contribute to the team and ended up have a good week so I guess the committee decided to vote me as top defenceman. I was definitely humbled and honoured.”

The Elks advanced to the semi-finals of the event, where they lost to the eventual-champion Bentley Generals 3-1.

Email: cjnbsports@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @craig_beauch