Western Conference Hottie: Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks)

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: Keith was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft as the 54th overall selection. He signed with Chicago prior to the 2003–04 season and spent his first two seasons after junior in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the team affiliate Norfolk Admirals, logging heavy minutes and scoring 51 points in 154 games total. He got his first call up to the NHL on October 5, 2005 against the Anaheim Ducks.

Following two seasons in the AHL, he made the Blackhawks squad out of the 2006 training camp. He made an immediate impact on the club by averaging over 23 minutes of ice time in 81 games that season. At the conclusion of the 2005–06 season he was rewarded for his stellar play by the Blackhawks who signed him to a five-year contract extension. In 2006–07, he played in all 82 games for the Blackhawks and once again led the team in average ice time at 23 minutes. He had two goals and 31 points, while leading the team in blocked shots with 148. For the 2007–08 season, Keith saw even more ice time after injuries wracked the Blackhawks' defensive core. By mid-January, he was averaging 24:31 ice time per game and had a team leading plus/minus of +14. He was rewarded for this effort by a selection to the 2008 NHL All Star Game. He finished the season with a +30 plus minus rating despite being on a non-playoff team.

On October 8, 2008, Keith was named an alternate captain along with Patrick Sharp [previously on HftL]. He helped a rejuvenated Blackhawks team led by young forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane [previously on HftL] back into the playoffs, making it to the conference finals, where they were eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings (aka Satans spawn). On December 3, 2009, the Blackhawks announced Keith's contract extension simultaneously with Toews and Kane. Keith's deal was a 13-year, $72 million contract, making it the richest in team history, surpassing Marian Hossa's [gag] 12-year, $62.8 million contract signed several months prior in August 2009.

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: The best thing about him, he knows how to do "hockey hair" just right. Although it's a toss up if I like him better with "Letang-style sex-hair" or with it cut off short. He does both so very well. When you get past the hair, your in for a real treat with the pretty blue eyes which kind of sneak up on you because you're not expecting them. He's 6'1, 196lbs. and does great things to improve the appearance of a baseball cap.

And of course, we've got this (several moments, will make your eyeballs nearly fall out) -



There's this which, although short and sweet, is definitely "stimulating."


Lists his parents as the people he most admires ... His biggest pet peeve is second hand smoke ... Supports the Teammates for Kids charity ... His favorite television show is “Hockey Night in Canada” ... His favorite food is steak and his least favorite food is peas [whoa, what did peas ever do to you, Mr. Keith? Well, there goes my image of perfection, he's picking on my favorite vegetable... Oh well, he's pretty to look at, so I'll let it slide...]