Keanu Reeves Signs One-Day Contract With Junior Hockey Team For Charity

Keanu Reeves traded his action hero persona for a hockey jersey, signing a one-day contract with the Windsor Spitfires, a junior team in the Ontario Hockey League.

The John Wick actor’s brief stint with the Spitfires wasn’t about showcasing his on-ice skills, but rather to support a charitable cause. Reeves autographed team merchandise that will be auctioned off to benefit the Windsor chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

While best known for his roles in blockbuster films, Reeves has a long-standing connection to hockey. Born in Lebanon but raised in Toronto, the Canadian citizen played the sport as a teenager and even considered a career as a goaltender before turning to acting.

In a 2013 online Q&A session, Reeves revealed he continued playing recreationally after moving to California. “I became involved in a street hockey game that took place every weekend for over 10 years,” he said, describing it as a “cool thing” that helped him forge friendships.

Despite his passion for the sport, Reeves reportedly told a former teammate that he never seriously considered pursuing hockey professionally. “I loved hockey, but I never wanted it to become too serious,” he was quoted as saying.

Interestingly, Reeves’ first major film role was in the 1986 hockey drama Youngblood, starring alongside Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze. He later appeared in several other sports-themed movies, including The Replacements and Hardball.

The charity event with the Spitfires is just one of Reeves’ diverse pursuits outside of filmmaking. The versatile actor is set to make his Broadway debut in Waiting for Godot with Bill & Ted co-star Alex Winter. He also lends his talents to video games, plays bass in a band, writes comic books and novels, and owns a custom motorcycle company.

Fans can look forward to seeing Reeves on the big screen in upcoming projects such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, John Wick Presents: Ballerina, the Aziz Ansari-directed Good Fortune and Jonah Hill’s Outcome.