There used to be a time, however, when things looked quite promising for the 6’2” defenseman from North Dundas, Ontario. Koekkoek’s final season in midget junior saw him rack up 43 points in 44 games, score at a point-per-game pace during the Telus Cup, and win the Telus Cup with the Notre Dame Hounds in 2010. He also took home the tournament MVP and top defenseman awards.
Returning back to Ontario to play major junior, Koekkoek’s junior career with the Peterborough Petes and the Windsor Spitfires was mired with injury. Although only scoring 23 points in 65 games with the Petes in his rookie season, Koekkoek was named to the OHL all-rookie team and helped Canada (Ontario) win a gold medal at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge.