Toronto Maple Leafs’ Coach Sheldon Keefe to Receive Honorary Degree from Algonquin College
Posted on Saturday, May 8th, 2021
Algonquin College will be awarding Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach, Sheldon Keefe, with an Honorary Degree in recognition of his on-ice and community accomplishments at its June convocation ceremony. The announcement comes on the tenth anniversary of Keefe leading the Pembroke Lumber Kings to the franchise’s only national Junior A championship.
Keefe’s relationship with Algonquin College dates back to his time as owner, general manager and head coach of the Junior A Lumber Kings, the hockey club he led to five consecutive league championships. He capped his Junior A coaching career on May 8, 2011 when his Lumber Kings defeated the Vernon Vipers 2-0 in the national championship game of what was then known as the RBC Cup.
“Sheldon’s story of perseverance in the face of challenges is truly inspiring. His contributions to the City of Pembroke and Algonquin College provide a lasting legacy and an example of what can be achieved when the community comes together,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “While inspiring his players to great success on the ice, Sheldon has also instilled in them the value of education and the lifetime of opportunities that it can provide.”
As owner of the Lumber Kings, Keefe was a partnership-builder and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce. He gave back to the community by supporting special events and fundraising efforts, including the building campaign for Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus which opened in downtown Pembroke in 2012. He also helped establish a bursary for students in financial need at the Pembroke Campus and encouraged his players to pursue an education, with several of them enrolling at the College.
“Algonquin College is among the pillars of Pembroke. To acknowledge me in this way and associate me with the College is very special. I will be eternally grateful,” said Keefe, who married his wife Jackie and had their two boys, Landon and Wyatt, while living in Pembroke.
“I had never been to Pembroke (before coaching there). From a distance, it was clear it was a special place when it came to junior hockey. People care so much about what the hockey team is doing. People are passionate about it. There is added pressure to win. To win five championships was one thing, but to put the community on the national stage was the right ending to the story.”
The Honorary Degree will be awarded to Keefe on June 23 during Algonquin College’s virtual convocation ceremony.
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For more information:
Bruce Hickey
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
Chris Lackner
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
Mobile: 613-220-3479
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
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