A canned motor for a submersible pump system and a method of manufacturing the canned motor are provided. The canned motor includes: a canned stator comprising a can disposed within a central bore of a lamination stack, wherein an inner diameter of the can comprises at least one keyway; and a rotor bearing comprising at least one key configured to engage the keyway of the can when a shaft and rotor sub-assembly is disposed within the canned stator.