Joey Keane was drafted 88th overall in the 3rd round of the 2018 Entry Draft by the Rangers, a pick received from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Nick Holden and now former Wolf Pack defenseman Rob O’Gara. Keane took part in his first pro training camp with the New York Rangers just prior to the 2018-19 season and put a hit on Mika Zibanejad during a 1 on 1 drill that was hard enough to knock the wind out of him for a few moments, it made quite the impression.
Keane suited up for one preseason game, a 6-4 loss to the Flyers where he was a -2, before being sent back to the Barrie Colts of the OHL.