2025 INDUCTEE TO THE MANITOBA LACROSSE HALL OF FAME IN THE PLAYER CATEGORY- DOUG MCKEEVER
| Doug started his lacrosse career on the dirt box at Northwood Community Centre under the guidance of Sam Simcoff. Sam a teacher at Sisler High School and a member of the Committee for the Advancement of Lacrosse in Manitoba (CALM) took on the task of reviving lacrosse in North Winnipeg (last lacrosse teams in the North Ender were from CUAC and CPAC in the mid-forties). Doug played his first couple of years as a forward, but being a hockey goalie he slowly gravitated to play in that position in lacrosse. Doug played two years with Northwood midgets. In 1971 he joined the newly formed Boyd Park Nor' Westers- playing both forward and goal. His outstanding play in goal lead to him being selected to play for Manitoba at the National Junior Championships in Assinboine Saskatchewan. In 1972, McKeever was the first round draft pick of the Elmwood Shamrocks. Doug's steady and at time acrobatic goal tending leading the Shamrocks to senior titles in 1976, 1977, 1981, and 1983. Doug ended his 12 year career playing in the Senior league with a respectable 6.1 goals per game average. Over his 15 year career, Doug was selected 10 times to represent the province.
Doug was an all round athlete winning a high school football championship with the Sisler in 1970 and playing 2 seasons (72-73) for the Winnipeg Monarchs of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
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| -1971 Junior Champion with Boy Park allowing only 3 goals in the Nor'wester sweep of Lord Roberts in 5 game series - 1971 Selected to represent Manitoba at the Junior Nationals in Assinboine, Saskatchewan - 1973- Selected to represent Manitoba at the Senior Nationals in Halifax - 1974- Won a silver medal at the Presidents Cup in New Westminster BC. - 1975- Scored a goal while playing goalie - 1976- Won bronze medal at the Presidents Cup in Winnipeg (posting a 1-1 record while sharing goal tending duties with Bill Crook) - 1976- Senior Champion with the Elmwood Shamrocks - 1977- Selected to represent Manitoba at the Senior Nationals in Vernon BC - 1977- Senior Champion with the Elmwood Shamrocks - 1978- Selected to represent Manitoba at the Senior Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta - 1981- Picked up the the Winnipeg Warriors to play in the President's Cup in Cornwall, Ontario - 1981- Senior Champion with the Elmwood Shamrocks - 1983- Selected to represent Manitoba at the Senior Nationals in Valleyfield, Quebec (posting a 2-2 record) - 1983- Senior Champion with the Elmwood Shamrocks - 1984-Selected to represent Manitoba at the Senior Nationals in Kitchener, Ontario - 1986- Selected to represent Manitoba at the Senior Nationals in Surrey, BC | |
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PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1 Junior championship - 5 Senior championships - 10 times selected to represent Manitoba in National competitions - Never posted a losing record over one season - Respectable 6.1 goals per game average on teams that emphasized offense |
| Doug played in a era of outstanding Manitoba goalies, that included Bill Crook and Jim Thompson- both have been inducted to the Manitoba Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Local newspapers described Doug's play as "standout", "sterling", "stoned the opposition", "brilliant", and "acrobatic". The least complimentary comment in the newspaper was that his play was "steady". Not a bad comment for a goaltender who played 12 years of senior lacrosse.
Doug was the consummate team mate- playing hard no matter the situation in the game. At Nationals, the oft over matched Manitoba squads left McKeever to face between 60-80 shots per game. It was during these games where the papers described McKeever's play as "athletic", "acrobatic", and "sensational" as he battled for the full 60 minutes. Doug's dedication to the game of lacrosse was apparent on his body- dappled by bruises and scraps. The equipment of his day (hockey helmet, pants, goalie arm guards and chest protector, and base ball back catcher leg guards did not provide the protection of today's goal tending equipment. Doug never complained but wore these bruises as badges of honour- he was a lacrosse goalie. |
