Keith Ballard, former professional ice hockey defenseman, received a CEHD Distinguished Alumni Award on Thursday, November 21. Ballard played 10 years in the National Hockey League (NHL), including an appearance in the Stanley Cup finals with the Vancouver Canucks and finishing his career on the Minnesota Wild.

While a student at the U of M, Keith played on two NCAA national championship teams and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top college men’s ice hockey player. After his time in the NHL, Keith returned to the U to complete a degree in sports management and graduated in 2016. He is currently the manager of the Little Wild Learn-to-Play Program for first-time boys and girls hockey players ages 5 to 8. He also works for Paragon Insurance Group as a consultant. Keith cofounded DaBeauty League, a summer hockey program that raises money for local charities, and participates in several other events to benefit charities through the year. In his free time, Ballard enjoys golf, fishing, hunting, and coaching his young children’s hockey and soccer teams.