Unconventionally gifted Little Falls Ice Hockey player needing final push to inter-provincial tournament

A reserved community hero shatters more than preconceptions every week.

Keegan Stranack is a padded wreaking ball on polished water and his unshakable focus has seen him qualify for the South African inter-provincial ice hockey tournament. Set to be hosted in Cape Town during the last week in June, Keegan will be representing the Gauteng Ice Hockey Association’s U18s in their quest for glory at Grand West Casino.

Ice hockey is not immediately associated with sunny African climates, but Keegan and his family are familiar with the extraordinary. Diagnosed with severe ADHD and depression at age nine, Keegan began home-schooling at age 13. Ice hockey, as well as karate, have been invaluable vehicles used to grow his social and personal skills.

“We are super proud of everything he has achieved so far. Having walked the path he has made him a stronger and prouder person,” said Keegan’s mother, Noreen.

The 17-year-old gravitated toward the sport due to its unique physicality, adrenaline, and speed. Noreen praised her son’s dedication, discipline, independence and time management skills in the pursuit of his freedom on the ice. His love of the sport and his attention to detail has seen him take up refereeing and will aim to get his coaching badges as he grows into the senior age group.

The less popular a sport, the harder the journey and due to the scarcity of facilities, Keegan and his parents have to make long commutes for game time. Northgate has an ice rink but does not have the glass panels synonymous with the bone-crunching big hits and brave body checks of the sport. The family thus spends late and early hours in the car and next to the ice in Kempton Park, Pretoria East and Centurion.

Those who have reached the upper levels of fewer mainstream sports will be well aware of the woefully funded avenues for players to realise their less conventional dreams. Keegan is ever-present at community events, participating in all upliftment projects in and outside of his suburb. To help get himself to Cape Town at the end of the month, he has painted driveway numbers, painted refuse bins and completed several small projects to raise funds.

An ice rink’s cold and hard atmosphere is at odds with Keegan’s warmth and kindness but this contrast is par for his private course. A Backabuddy campaign has been set up to assist Keegan in reaching his financial goal and he outlines what it would mean to achieve the one on ice, saying, “It is about the experience of playing with the best while being coached by the best.”

Hoping to grade for his black belt this October, in his matric year, 2023 could feature prominently in the photo album.