Clayton Keller

Lore & Background

Keller grew up in the St. Louis area and played hockey in a basement painted to resemble a rink, decorated with images of his favorite NHL players. He attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, where he set a program record with 189 points over two seasons. After being drafted by the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, he chose to play college hockey at Boston University, where he won the Hockey East Rookie of the Year award and the Tim Taylor Award for top NCAA Division I rookie. He left after one season to join the Coyotes.

Keller made his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center and recorded his first point in his first home game at Gila River Arena. He led the Coyotes in points during his first two full seasons and made his postseason debut in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, where Arizona eliminated the Nashville Predators in a qualifying round before losing to the Colorado Avalanche. He suffered a season-ending leg injury in March 2022 but returned to play all 82 games in 2022–23, tying the franchise single-season points record.

Reader's Guide

Clayton Keller's career with the Arizona Coyotes spanned from his draft in 2016 through the franchise's relocation to Utah. He was a consistent offensive leader, topping the team in points in his rookie season and again in 2018–19. His 86-point campaign in 2022–23 tied the Coyotes' single-season record, and he earned three All-Star Game selections. Keller's versatility allowed him to fill both center and wing roles as needed. After the Coyotes folded and their hockey assets transferred to the Utah Mammoth, Keller was named the first captain in Utah franchise history for the 2024–25 season. His early life included playing in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the St. Louis Blues minor affiliate and being part of a cohort of skilled St. Louis-area players who were selected in the first round of the 2016 draft.

Did You Know?

• Keller set the USA Hockey National Team Development Program record with 189 career points, later surpassed by Jack Hughes in 2019.
• He scored his first NHL goal in the 2017–18 season opener against the Anaheim Ducks.
• Keller was named NHL Rookie of the Month for October 2017 and March 2018.