"Honestly, it was a great week," Keane said from his home in Chicago. "Any time you get to represent Team USA it's an honor and a really cool thing. I was excited to get out there and meet a bunch of guys. Facing guys from Canada and Sweden, it's good to compare yourself to talent that's out there."
Nick Bobrov, the Rangers' Director of European Scouting, was on hand for the tournament and praised Keane for his skating and play with the puck, something Bobrov said could have "surprised" many in attendance.
"He moved the puck very well and had the poise to play a possession game when situations dictated it," Bobrov said of Keane. "Joey saw good PP time, often playing alongside [Vancouver's] Quinn Hughes on the first unit and showed his ability to play very well along with an elite player like Hughes."
Keane, according to Bobrov, was also sound defensively, and the fact he's a righty, was able to "make a strong case for making this USA team."
Jed Ortmeyer, the team's Director of Player Development, said Keane "made himself noticable every game with his ability to skate and breaking pucks out, joining the rush and recovering on chances against."
The 19-year-old said his game came into its own last season with OHL Barrie, when he registered 12 goals and added 32 assists for 44 points in 62 regular season games. He chipped in with seven assists in 12 playoff games for the Colts.
"I thought I had a good year in Barrie last year," said Keane, whom the Rangers selected in the third round, 88th overall in June's NHL Draft. "Maybe the year before I didn't stand out as much. It's all coming together. I've been able to put together some good games. It feels good."
It's been a busy summer for Keane. Following the draft, he spent a week in New York attending prospect camp, which included tours of both Madison Square Garden and the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum, as well as a week of up-tempo drills and scrimmages with his new Rangers teammates, nearly all of whom he did not know before the week began.
"The hockey part was great. We had some games and a couple tough days," Keane said. "It was great to meet new people. I didn't know anyone, so it was cool to be introduced to them. It was a good week."
Ortmeyer, meanwhile, attributed Keane's strong showing in Vancouver partly to the success the youngster had at development camp in late June.
"He played a strong, physical game defensively and was creative and active offensively," Ortmeyer said of Keane. "He played with a lot of confidence, which carried over from development camp."
Now after last week's trip out west to Vancouver, Keane will catch his breath before summer training continues with a trip back to Barrie on August 26 that precludes his return to New York in early September.
Hockey in August is always a challenge, but Keane said it's worth it for the possibility of an invitation back for December.
"It's summer hockey and it's tough, but when you get there, you put those thoughts aside and go out and do your best," he said. "I know how that team is picked in December. I'm just hoping I get invited back."
