Powell River Kings forward Kurt Keats has committed to the UMass-Amherst Minutemen for the 2015/2016 season.
Keats, 18, just completed his first year in Powell River where he was 2nd in team scoring, notching 65 points in 62 regular season and playoff games. The Winnipeg product also captained Team Canada West at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge in Yamouth, Nova Scotia. Prior to joining the Kings, Keats suited up for his hometown Winnipeg Blues in the MJHL for two seasons.
“Usually it’s a really long process, but it all came together pretty quick after the end of our season” said Keats on the decision to commit. “They first saw me at the start of the season against Victoria, then after playoffs I went on a fly down and knew it was a great fit there.”
Keats had opportunities to visit UMass and other schools during the season, however didn’t feel it was right to leave the Kings for a few days during the stretch drive or playoffs. His decision to wait paid off, as he was able to focus on the BCHL, and led the Kings in playoff scoring. Despite having his hockey and educational future now set, Keats remains focused on Powell River. “It (committing) is nice, and a relief but it doesn’t take away from the pressure of the upcoming season” said Keats. “If anything, it adds more pressure because you’ve got a school that wants you to do well and I feel I owe it to Kent Lewis, the Kings staff and fans to have an excellent season next year.”
“He had a solid year and I think one more year to get better at both ends will be a good thing for him” said Kings Head Coach and General Manager Kent Lewis. Lewis feels that Keats’ skill set will translate well when he joins the school in the fall of 2015. “Bottom line is his will to compete, college is another animal and he just has a willingness to do the dirty work, go into corners and play the right way…we’re very happy for him.”
Keats plans to study either business or psychology at the school. “UMass has a really prestigious business school and on the fly down, I met one of the main psychology professors” said Keats. “He actually wrote a textbook I had in high school, and it was great to hear that he’s involved in the hockey team as well.”
UMass-Amherst play out of Hockey East, with teams based in and around the New England region of the United States. Other schools in the conference include Boston University (Sean Maguire), Boston College (Evan Richardson), UMass Lowell (Jeff Smith) and Notre Dame (Luke Ripley) among others.
Keats, along with the rest of the eligible returnees are due back in Powell River mid-August, with camp beginning during the final weekend of the month.
