Exit Interviews 2024-25: #27 Keean Washkurak

With the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs well underway and the Belleville Senators wading into the offseason, David Foot sat down with the players to reflect on a year filled with challenges, growth, and standout moments. In this exclusive series of year-in-review interviews, players open up about their personal journeys, team milestones, and what it meant to represent Belleville and the Bay of Quinte this season. From locker room highlights to on-ice battles, these conversations offer a behind-the-scenes look at the season that was — and a glimpse at what’s ahead.

Today’s guest is forward Keean Washkurak, who made a significant impact in his first season with the Senators, earning the club’s 2024-25 Coach’s Choice Award.

DF: Your first season in Belleville is in the books, you played all but one game for the Senators this year, how did you feel about your season?

KW: I thought it was great. I love playing in front of the fans here in Belleville. It was unfortunate our season got cut short, but I thought I had a pretty good season, and hopefully I can come back and play in front of these fans again.

DF: You were named the club’s Coaches’ Choice Award winner this season. What’s the reaction to that and what does it mean to you?

KW: It means a lot to get recognized like that by the coaches. I work really hard and pride myself on working hard every single night, so it’s nice to get recognized for that.

DF: You’re one of the few guys in a different situation because you’re on an AHL deal and know you’ll be here all season long to help this team win as much as they can. What is that experience like, and how different is it from those guys who are on the other NHL deals?

KW: It’s different knowing you’re not going to go up, but I liked it. I took this year to focus on finding my game again and being down here without worrying about whether I’m going up or not, I think I found my game, and I really love being here.

DF: We talked about this a lot with Coach Bell in the last few weeks, but how proud are you of this group with the way they battled through injuries this year, or on-ice bounces not going their way? There was never any quit and that was evident right through the season finale.

KW: I’m super proud of the guys in the room; we battled hard every single night. We have a young team, and you expect some ups and downs with that. Especially with the injuries and losing some key players, I thought we battled every night and even if we took a night off, the next game we’d be right back up to that standard.

DF: How will you spend your time this summer? What will you get up to?

KW: I’ll probably travel around a little bit, hang out at the cottage in Parry Sound, go fishing and get out on the water a little bit. Hang out with some buddies, and I’ll be on the golf course for sure.

DF: You and everyone else! Travel-wise, anywhere exotic on the list?

KW: I’ll probably be in Charleston, South Carolina. My girlfriend lives there, so I’ll go there a couple of times. We went there for the all-star break, and I love it out there; the weather’s great.

DF: Anywhere else you’re hoping to make more strides heading into next season?

KW: I think just expanding my game and making some more plays.

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