59-year-old Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves is living out his dream of being a professional hockey player, as he is officially a member of the Windsor Spitfires, a team in the Ontario Hockey League.
Although Reeves is on the team for just one day, it is reminiscent for the movie star as he once was set to try out for the team when he was a teenager, but due to injury never got a chance to make the squad.
Keanu Reeves signed a one day contact with @SpitsHockey.
Reeves was meant to begin an OHL career years ago, but couldn’t due to injury. Windsor will be auctioning off signed items, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor. pic.twitter.com/gtJaUgjkM2
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 22, 2024
That is to say, now Reeves has finally got his redemptive moment as the Spitfires welcomed him back with open arms.
In a moment of happenstance, the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club were finally able to add this former Ontario Hockey League goalie prospect, turned Dogstar bass player, to their roster with a one day contract! Welcome to the #YQG Keanu Reeves!
Signed items will be auctioned off… pic.twitter.com/06kN0rTFO2
— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) August 22, 2024
"I almost think that it was just as exciting for him as it was for us," Remo Agostino, the manager of brand and entertainment for the Spitfires, told the Windsor Star. "He came in wearing his Canadian tuxedo — a jean jacket and jeans — so he was ready for the occasion.
"It was super exciting. I think he was a little bit taken aback by the whole presentation," Agostino continued. "We always make sure it's a memorable experience for any of our players, when you sign a contract and you finally get a jersey."
Even though Reeves played hockey when he was younger, in addition to portraying a goalie in the 1986 movie Youngblood, due to his age he probably won't be seeing any playing time on the ice; nevertheless, it was a nice ceremonial gesture by the team.
My favorite Keanu fact is that he’s a legit Hockey goalie. One of his first roles was playing the goalie in the 1986 Rob Lowe/Patrick Swayze movie “Youngblood” https://t.co/UDBsbgy665 pic.twitter.com/pyFFxqJ3oC
— Free Agent | Maximoose (@Maximoose31) August 23, 2024
Not to mention, it was all for a good cause, as the Spitfires plan to auction off the jersey that Reeves signed, in order to help to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association of Windsor-Essex.
X/@CARHAhockey; Reaves (right) in Youngblood (1986)
Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler and team co-owner Brian Schwab were also present to make the contract signing official.
"It's a big day for our organization," GM Bowler said. "We are so proud to finally have Keanu on our squad. If he's half the goalie he was in Youngblood we should do well this season. We are big supporters of the CMHA and hope the auction for this extremely rare jersey will help such an important cause in our community."
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