Derek Keenan
Encyclopedia
Derek Keenan is a former lacrosse player, and current head coach and General Manager of the Edmonton Rush
of the National Lacrosse League
.
After a long amateur career, (with the Oshawa Green Gaels and the Brooklin Redmen
of the Ontario Junior and Senior Leagues respectively, and Ithaca College
where he made All-American), and appearances with the Canadian National Field team at several world championships, Keenan began professional play in 1992
with the Buffalo Bandits
, where he won the 1992 Rookie of the Year Award. The Bandits won the Champions Cup
in both of Keenan's seasons with the team. After a five year break, he played six games with the Toronto Rock
in 1999
, before becoming an assistant coach under Les Bartley
. The Rock won the 1999 NLL Championship, and with Bartley at the helm and Keenan and Ed Comeau
as assistant coaches, the Rock went to the championship game in each of the next four seasons, winning three times, in 2000
, 2002
, and 2003
.
In November 2003
, Bartley stepped down due to his battle with colon cancer, and Keenan was promoted to interim general manager, while Comeau was given the job of interim head coach. However, less than four months later, after a 2-4 start, both Keenan and Comeau were fired by the Rock, replaced by Terry Sanderson.
In 2005, Keenan was hired by the Anaheim Storm
, becoming their head coach and general manager. He improved the Storm from a dismal 1-15 record in 2004
to a 5-11 record in 2005
. However, the Storm folded after the 2005 season due to low attendance.
In July 2005, Keenan was named head coach and general manager of the then-unnamed Portland expansion franchise. The team was named the "LumberJax", and finished the 2006 season
11-5, becoming the first expansion team in NLL history to finish first in its division. Keenan was awarded both the GM of the Year Award
and the Les Bartley Award
for coach of the year.
Keenan is the second cousin of the NHL head coach Mike Keenan
.
Edmonton Rush
The Edmonton Rush is a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League that started playing in the 2006 NLL season.The NLL announced that Edmonton, Alberta, Canada would receive an NLL franchise on May 5, 2005. They play their home games at Rexall Place...
of the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
.
After a long amateur career, (with the Oshawa Green Gaels and the Brooklin Redmen
Brooklin Redmen
The Brooklin Redmen are a box lacrosse team from Whitby, Ontario. The Redmen play in the Major Series Lacrosse league . The MSL, and its counterpart, the Western Lacrosse Association, represent the highest level of competitive box lacrosse in Canada...
of the Ontario Junior and Senior Leagues respectively, and Ithaca College
Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
where he made All-American), and appearances with the Canadian National Field team at several world championships, Keenan began professional play in 1992
1992 MILL season
-Awards:-All-Pro Teams:First Team:*Gary Gait, Detroit*Paul Gait, Detroit*Dave Pietramala, Pittsburgh*Rick Sowell, Baltimore*John Tucker, Philadelphia*Sal LoCascio, New York Second Team:*Jeff Jackson, Baltimore*Derek Keenan, Buffalo...
with the Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998....
, where he won the 1992 Rookie of the Year Award. The Bandits won the Champions Cup
Champions Cup
Champions Cup may refer to:*The Champion's Cup is the trophy awarded to the playoff winners in the National Lacrosse League*The A3 Champions Cup is an annual football , competition involving the league champions of China, Japan and South Korea...
in both of Keenan's seasons with the team. After a five year break, he played six games with the Toronto Rock
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock is a lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Rock of the late 1990s / early 2000s has been called a dynasty, having won five NLL championships in seven years. From 1999 to 2003, the Rock appeared in an NLL-record...
in 1999
1999 NLL season
-Awards:-Weekly Awards:Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.-Monthly Awards:Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.-Statistics Leaders:...
, before becoming an assistant coach under Les Bartley
Les Bartley
Les Bartley was a renowned lacrosse coach. He led the Buffalo Bandits to 3 of their 4 championships in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League , and won 4 more championships with the Toronto Rock in the renamed National Lacrosse League .-Buffalo Bandits:Bartley became the assistant coach of the Bandits...
. The Rock won the 1999 NLL Championship, and with Bartley at the helm and Keenan and Ed Comeau
Ed Comeau
Ed Comeau is the former head coach of the Orlando Titans, until they folded in 2010, of the National Lacrosse League.Comeau began his NLL coaching career with the Toronto Rock, as an assistant coach under the legendary Les Bartley...
as assistant coaches, the Rock went to the championship game in each of the next four seasons, winning three times, in 2000
2000 NLL season
-Awards:-Weekly Awards:Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.-Monthly Awards:Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.-Statistics Leaders:...
, 2002
2002 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2002 All-Star Game was held on April 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the North team beat the South 14-10. The MVP was Toronto's Steve Toll, who scored three goals. At the time, this also marked Paul Gait's final professional lacrosse game, as he...
, and 2003
2003 NLL season
-Awards:-Weekly Awards:The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.- Monthly Awards :Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie....
.
In November 2003
2003 NLL season
-Awards:-Weekly Awards:The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.- Monthly Awards :Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie....
, Bartley stepped down due to his battle with colon cancer, and Keenan was promoted to interim general manager, while Comeau was given the job of interim head coach. However, less than four months later, after a 2-4 start, both Keenan and Comeau were fired by the Rock, replaced by Terry Sanderson.
In 2005, Keenan was hired by the Anaheim Storm
Anaheim Storm
The Anaheim Storm was a member of the National Lacrosse League. They played at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. They were the New Jersey Storm from the 2002 season to 2003. Starting for the 2004 season the team relocated to Anaheim, California...
, becoming their head coach and general manager. He improved the Storm from a dismal 1-15 record in 2004
2004 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2004 All-Star Game was held at the Pepsi Center in Denver on February 22, 2004. The East division defeated the West 19-15, and Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis was named game MVP.-All-Star teams:-Awards:-Weekly Awards:...
to a 5-11 record in 2005
2005 NLL season
The 2005 National Lacrosse League season began on January 1, 2005 and concluded with the championship game on May 14. The Toronto Rock won their fifth NLL championship, defeating the Arizona Sting 19-13 in Toronto....
. However, the Storm folded after the 2005 season due to low attendance.
In July 2005, Keenan was named head coach and general manager of the then-unnamed Portland expansion franchise. The team was named the "LumberJax", and finished the 2006 season
2006 NLL season
-All-Star game:The 2006 All-Star Game was held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on February 25, 2006. The West Division defeated the East Division 14-13. The MVP of the game was Lewis Ratcliff of the Calgary Roughnecks, who scored 4 goals, including the game winner...
11-5, becoming the first expansion team in NLL history to finish first in its division. Keenan was awarded both the GM of the Year Award
National Lacrosse League GM of the Year Award
The General Manager of the Year Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League general manager who has done the best job of ensuring his team's success.-Past winners:...
and the Les Bartley Award
Les Bartley Award
The Les Bartley Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League head coach of the year. The award was simply called the Head Coach of the Year award until 2004, when the award was renamed in honour of Les Bartley, the winningest coach in NLL history....
for coach of the year.
Keenan is the second cousin of the NHL head coach Mike Keenan
Mike Keenan
Michael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
.
National Lacrosse League
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | ||
| 1992 | Buffalo | 8 | 26 | 23 | 42 | 41 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 2 | ||
| 1993 | Buffalo | 8 | 22 | 12 | 34 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 8 | ||
| 1999 | Toronto | 6 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| NLL Totals | 22 | 52 | 42 | 94 | 91 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 37 | 10 | |||