Sheldon Keefe going from persona non grata in come circles to coach of the year in fewer than 2½ years is proof of the value of second chances.
Long into adulthood, the first point of reference with Keefe, who received the OHL's Matt Leyden Trophy on Friday, was his part as one of the Brampton Boys, the group of four David Frost-influenced players whose antics marred the 2000 Barrie Colts' championship season. It's sensitive subject, which was why Keefe didn't get an OHL opportunity until midway through 2012-13 when Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds GM Kyle Dubas, now Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM, hired him to turn around a struggling team.