Keanu Reeves, the actor whose career spans from action blockbusters to cult classics, is now making headlines in the hockey world. The 59-year-old has officially signed an honorary one-day contract with the Windsor Spitfires, a team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Despite the OHL being a league for players aged 16-21, Reeves was granted this special opportunity as a nod to his early aspirations in hockey. The move is a nostalgic nod to Reeves' past.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon to a British mother and an American father, he moved to Canada in 1970. As a teenager in Toronto, Keanu Reeves was an aspiring goaltender and was even offered a tryout with the Spitfires. However, he chose to pursue a career in acting instead of playing major junior hockey.
The film industry has since benefited from that decision. Reeves made his feature film debut as a goaltender in the 1986 movie "Youngblood" before becoming a household name with "Speed" in 1994. His portrayal of Neo in "The Matrix" further cemented his status as a global superstar, with the film being a massive success and leading to three sequels.
The "John Wick" franchise has kept Reeves in the spotlight, showcasing his action-star prowess and expanding his fame. Outside of his film career, Reeves is also admired for his positive public image. His cult status is reflected in social media, where the subreddit KeanuBeingAwesome boasts over 368,000 subscribers.
In addition to the symbolic signing, items autographed by Reeves during this promotion will be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting the Canadian Mental Health Association's Windsor branch.
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AOUT 23 | 71 ANSWERS Megastar Keanu Reeves finally signs a pro hockey contract What is your favourite Keanu Reeves movie franchise? | ||
The Matrix | 16 | 22.5 % |
John Wick | 55 | 77.5 % |
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