St. John’s Local Makes ECHL Comeback After 10 Years

St. John’s native Pat O’Keefe recently made a remarkable comeback to the ECHL after a decade-long hiatus. O’Keefe, who last played in the league with the Cincinnati Cyclones in the 2013-2014 season, took to the ice once again for the Newfoundland Growlers at the Mary Brown’s Centre.

With minimal preparation, O’Keefe received a call from former teammate and Growler Jordan Escott just a few hours before the game, asking if he could join the team. After some consideration, O’Keefe rushed to the arena and was welcomed warmly by the entire squad. He quickly geared up and took to the ice, recording a shot on goal and enjoying the support of his friends and family in attendance.

O’Keefe, now an officer with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, returned to his policing duties the following morning. But he will forever cherish the experience of stepping back into the competitive world of professional hockey.

However, O’Keefe was not the only local player to make their ECHL comeback with the Growlers this weekend. Terry Ryan, a renowned Mount Pearl native and former first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, was also scheduled to play in the Thunder‘s series finale on Sunday.

Ryan, who last played in the ECHL during the 2002-2003 season with the Cincinnati Cyclones, adds another layer of excitement to the team. Known for his role as Ted Hitchcock in Crave TV’s popular show ‘Shoresy’, Ryan brings not only his hockey skills but also his entertainment expertise to the ice.

The Growlers and Ryan hope to secure a victory against the Thunder in their final game of the series at 4 p.m. in St. John’s.