5 Facts About New Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Sheldon Keefe's Journey to the NHL

5 Facts About New Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Sheldon Keefe’s Journey to the NHL

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Head coach of the Toronto Marlies Sheldon Keefe looks on from behind the bench against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

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2003 Season: Player Sheldon Keefe of the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) /

1) He had a short stint playing in the NHL

Like many coaches, Sheldon Keefe also played in the NHL. (Although Mike Babcock never made the NHL, and wasn’t drafted). (Hockeydb.com).

Keefe was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning 47th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, after a great 1999 season with the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

In his last year of junior, Keefe scored 121 points and 48 goals in just 66 games.

He might not have had a great NHL career, but getting drafted so highly (or at all) is a great accomplishment nonetheless.

He would go on to play a total of 125 games with the Lightning, accumulating 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points during that time.

In 2004, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, but never played for them, bouncing around the AHL instead.

He retired from playing after playing four games with the Utah Grizzlies of the AHL in 2004.

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