Keith McCreary was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA) during his career. He was born on June 6, 1940, in Sundridge, Ontario, Canada.
McCreary began his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1960. He played for the Leafs for three seasons before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1963. He played for the Red Wings for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1967.
McCreary played for the Penguins for four seasons and was named the team's captain in 1970. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals. He was also a skilled penalty killer and was often used in defensive situations.
In 1972, McCreary was selected to play for Team Canada in the Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He played in five of the eight games and scored one goal. Canada won the series four games to three with one tie.
In 1974, McCreary left the NHL to join the WHA. He played for the Winnipeg Jets for two seasons before retiring in 1976. He finished his career with 192 goals and 259 assists in 726 NHL games and 43 goals and 70 assists in 157 WHA games.
After retiring from hockey, McCreary became a successful businessman. He owned a chain of sporting goods stores in Canada and was also involved in real estate development.
McCreary was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer, in 1999. He underwent treatment and was able to beat the disease. He became an advocate for cancer research and was involved in fundraising efforts for the Canadian Cancer Society.
McCreary passed away on April 9, 2003, at the age of 62. He was remembered as a tough and skilled player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. He was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
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