Clayton Keller: The Face of Coyotes’ New Era

There have been ups and downs for the Arizona Coyotes in the valley since relocating from Winnipeg in 1996. Playoff berths, missing the playoffs, stars arriving, stars departing, competing, rebuilding; the list can go on and on.

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But throughout all the turnover and turbulence that has loomed over the Coyotes, there has been one constant: Clayton Keller keeps fighting for what is best for the franchise.

Early Tour of the U.S.

When people think of Arizona Coyotes hockey nowadays, the first name is Clayton Keller.

But before he became a household name in the NHL, he was a part of youth hockey powerhouses growing up, leading to where he is now.

Playing for the well-renowned prep school Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota, the St. Louis native posted 127 points in just 60 games as a 14-year-old in 2012-13.

The Coyotes phenom continued to show flashes while playing the best of the best at his age level in travel/high school hockey.

Soon, he would receive an massive opportunity to join the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and the U.S. World Junior Championship teams alongside NHL superstars like Auston Matthews, Adam Fox and Matthew Tkachuk.

There, Keller played internationally for his home country and was either at a point-per-game or over, proving that the hype around him was legit.

Scoring four goals and 10 assists in the WJC tournament for 18-year-olds and younger, he caught the eyes of scouts around the NHL, especially Arizona’s.

So much so, the Coyotes ended up picking him seventh overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, the same draft where former “Yote Jakob Chychrun was selected (16th).

Before he would make the jump to Glendale (at the time), though, he was committed to play college for a highly-touted program. Keller headed to the East Coast and suited up for the five-time NCAA Division I National Champions, Boston University.

As a Terrier, he amassed 21 goals and 45 points in 31 games, scored a double overtime game-winner in the NCAA National Tournament against North Dakota, the reigning champions. Boston went to the Frozen Four (Final Four in hockey) where they ended up losing to Minnesota Duluth in overtime.

During his lone year there, he received multiple accomplishments. He was named on Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team, Second Team All-Star, Rookie of the Year and received the Tim Taylor Award, given to the top NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey rookie.

Keller would only be in Boston for one year as he signed his entry-level contract with the Coyotes towards the end of the 2016-17 NHL season.

Midwest to the Southwest

From hopping place to place, Keller landed in Phoenix and played in the final three games of that season, snagging two assists.

He would build off of that with 65 points in his first full campaign in the NHL a year later. Only time has Keller had less than 40 (35), it was the pandemic-shortened season in 2020-21.

Keller has been through the ups and downs with the franchise, being on a rebuilding team, then a playoff contender and reversing back to a rebuild.

The arena situation with the ‘Yotes moving out of Glendale, playing in a college venue and no guaranteed home after this season also adds to the drama that Keller has had to endure.

But there was an event where it could have all spiraled out of control.

Against San Jose Sharks, he broke his femur when crashing into the boards on Mar. 31 2022. Keller had to be stretchered off the ice before going through a six-month recovery period. Coming back from a substantial injury like that, there was speculation as to how it would impact his career.

Coming off of this major injury, Keller put those worries to bed as he had the best season of his career, recording 86 points (37 G, 49 A).

While people surrounding the organization will speak about how important Keller has been throughout his tenure, the one person who speaks so highly of him in the public is Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong.

“He’s been a big part since the day I arrived,” Armstrong said. “He’s been someone that said ‘I want to be part of the rebuild, I want to be part of the solution’ and not only has he talked about it, but he has stepped up with his performance. Had a huge year last year off of a major injury, put up huge numbers for us and the driving force to give us some momentum in the summer, the ability to sign players and come play with him.”

*Video via The Hockey News Coyotes Insider Remy Mastey on X (formerly Twitter)*

General manager Bill Armstrong spoke about Clayton Keller bring named an All-Star. #Yotes pic.twitter.com/1izvpvimcM

— Remy Mastey (@MasteyRemy) January 5, 2024

The Coyotes have been fighting for a playoff spot this season, but are currently sitting sixth place in the Central Division.

With a 19-16-2 record and 40 points, they are on the outside looking in.

As the franchise looks to be turning a corner, Armstrong believes Keller is at the forefront of the new era of Coyotes hockey.

“He’s been a great leader for us and he’s gotta put it out there every single night for us to have a chance to win. And again this season, he’s been a huge leader for us and put us into a spot for us to get into the playoffs right now.”

With that total, he tied the first captain in franchise history, Keith Tkachuk, for most points with in a regular season. Tkachuk set the record in the Coyotes’ inaugural 1996-97 season.

All about the Team

Because of his name, stature and leading Arizona with 31 points in 37 games, Keller became an All-Star for the fourth time in his career. He surpassed Tkachuk and Teppo Numminen for most appearances in the NHL spectacle. Both Tkachuk and Numminen had been to All-Star Weekend three times.

“It’s nice to be there There’s a lot of guys on this team that could have easily went. I am thankful and blessed. A lot of people have made a sacrifice for me to succeed and I am the most thankful for that.”

Those guys include Matias Maccelli, Lawson Crouse and Sean Durzi. Keller insinuated that were plenty of guys on the team with could have made an argument to go to Toronto, but is still thankful for the opportunity nonetheless.

“All those guys have all played well too, Maccelli, Crouser and Durz, the list goes on and on,” Keller said. “They could have easily been there as well, it’s nice to have that. We’re taking a step in the right direction, we’re learning, we’re a young team and that’s what is exciting about our group.”

During this stretch of two consecutive losses, Keller reflects on what he has learned from his eight years in the NHL and why he continues to push himself.

“A lot, you learn so much every year in this league,” Keller said. “Some years go differently and that’s when you learn the most is when things are not going your way, you have to dig deep, that’s why I love this game so much is all of the challenges and the setbacks. The adversity makes you a better player, better person, it teaches you how to win.”

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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini