Walt McKee was a soccer player by trade but he found that the kicking in soccer was transferable to the game of football. He was a member of the 1969-70 Manitoba Bisons, the first team win back-to-back Vanier Cup Championships in the CIAU.

1971 - McKee was drafted in the 4th round (28th overall) by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. At training camp, he found himself in a kicking dual with Don Jonas and Metro Gerela (Ted's brother). McKee was impressive but the Bombers found their kicker in Don Jonas. The Bombers reluctantly released McKee in mid-July so that he could play soccer for the local team Italinter in an International "friendly". In addition to finishing the season with Italinter, McKee also returned to play one more season for the University of Manitoba Bisons.

1972 - Walt McKee returned to the Blue Bombers for his second attempt at making the team. This time around the Bombers were looking for a punter and McKee fit the bill. McKee also handled the kickoff chores and was the team's long field goal kicker, which helps to explain why he finished 3 of 12 on field goals. McKee did get a chance at kicking some short range kicks during a blowout win in Vancouver on August 17 - he connected on a 17 yard field goal but missed his convert attempt.

1973 - In his second season in Winnipeg, McKee established himself as one of the best punters in the league - he led the West with a 44.2 yard average. On September 3, Walt assumed the short place kicking duties when Don Jonas suffered a sprained ankle. Unfortunately, McKee was not consistent and Jonas would regain the short place kicking duties near the end of the season.

1974 - Walt McKee performed all of the Blue Bombers' kicking chores and he led the team in scoring with 79 points. McKee was hampered by a nagging leg muscle injury which prevented him from following through on his place kicks. The injury did not affect his punting much as McKee led the West in punting average for the second straight season (41.8 yards per kick). On August 28 in a game against Calgary, McKee was forced into action at defensive halfback due to a series of injuries - He would also see action at DB later in the season in a game vs. Saskatchewan.

1975 - Walt McKee came to training camp healthy and was ready to handle all of the kicking duties once again. Early in training camp he re-aggravated his injury from 1974. McKee saw action in one pre-season game but he was limited to punting and one convert attempt. McKee started the regular season on the Blue Bombers 21-day injured list. McKee came off the injured list only to be released - the Bombers had just signed their first round draft choice, Bernie Ruoff. McKee soon found himself in the camp of the Edmonton Eskimos who had struggled at the punter position since Garry Lefebvre broke his leg in game one. McKee was having a good season in Edmonton but injuries would keep him out of the line-up. This time the injuries were to other players which forced the Eskimos to juggle the line-up - Edmonton could no longer afford the luxury of having two dedicated kickers - Dave Cutler was the other. McKee remained a healthy scratch until near the end of the season. The Eskimos were getting their injured players back and it looked like McKee would regain the punting duties. Unfortunately for Walt, one of the players that had recovered was Garry Lefebvre - McKee was released.

1976 - Walt returned to his first love, soccer - He played the season for Italinter.

Walt McKee continued to be involved in soccer after his playing days were done. He was the Director of Player Personnel for the Winnipeg Fury (CSL) until 1993 and more recently he has been the coach of the Women's soccer team at the University of Manitoba.

[Bio by Chris Sinclair]

Walt McKeen on fanbase.com

Walt McKee on Wikipedia

McKee Puts Some Kick Into Bomber Offence - July 16, 1974

Walt McKee Steps Down as U of M Woman's Soccer Coach

Punting Stats

Field Goal Stats

Missed Field Goals and Convert Stats

Kickoff Stats