SALT LAKE CITY — The 2025-26 season has been full of both triumph and tribulation for Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller.
Despite experiencing the highest of highs by leading his NHL club towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs and being part of the first U.S. hockey team to win gold at the Olympics in nearly 50 years, No. 9 also endured a devastating family tragedy.
On the night of Nov. 27, just as the team began a six-game road trip, Clayton’s father Bryan unexpectedly died in his sleep.
“With a heavy heart, we had tough news as a family yesterday. Clayton Keller’s dad (Bryan) passed away unexpectedly in his sleep, ” Head coach Andre Tourigny announced on November 28.
Following the death of his father, Keller had every reason to step away from the game to properly mourn. But that’s not what his dad would’ve wanted.
Rather, Keller discovered solace on the ice as he persevered and remained dedicated to the game he loves.
It’s that mindset and example that has earned him the Utah Mammoth nomination for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial trophy.
“That’s what he (Keller’s dad) no doubt would’ve wanted me to do,” Keller said. “That was the first thing that came out of my mom’s mouth, my brother’s mouth, my mouth. We all said the same thing.
“He would’ve wanted me to play no matter what. It was a no-brainer for me.”
Every year, each chapter of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association nominates one player for the Masterton award who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
This year, there’s no player more worthy of that award than Utah’s captain.
“Clayton is certainly deserving of this Masterton Trophy nomination,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. “Clayton persevered through one of the hardest life events a man can encounter with tremendous leadership, perseverance, and resilience.
“It’s just one of many examples of why Clayton is an exemplary captain and the entire organization is extremely proud of everything he’s accomplished this season.”
As Armstrong pointed out, Keller demonstrated each of those qualities over the course of a remarkably challenging season.
Just days after his father died, No. 9 played in his hometown of St. Louis (the same rink he attended countless times with his dad) and also turned outward, carrying an injured Logan Cooley to the bench when he was the one who deserved to be carried.
“I know he would do the same thing for me,” Keller said in regard to helping Cooley to the bench that day. “Especially Cools. I see a lot of myself as a younger player in him. … I just truly respect him so much and love his game. I’ll do anything for him, and he would do the same for me.”
“Kells is an unbelievable guy,” Cooley said. “(He’s) an unbelievable player. For me, the most underrated guy in the league — such a joy to be around.
“I honestly try to model my game after him a little bit,” he added. “He’s been a guy for me that I’ve leaned on since coming into the league as a young kid. He’s really done a great job of taking me under his wing. … He’s been the best mentor that I could’ve had coming into the league.”
In a nutshell, that’s who Keller is — a ferocious competitor who loves the game, his teammates, and will stop at nothing to get better every single day.
It doesn’t matter if he’s won a gold medal, is on the cusp of making the playoffs, or has experienced personal hardship, he’s the same player regardless of the situation.
“Hockey means everything,” Keller said with a grin. “It’s what I’ve loved to do since the first time I put on skates. I love the grind, I love the extra work, I love everything about it. I’ve never been satisfied, no matter what I achieve or the goals I reach.
“There’s still something inside of me that is pushing me and telling me that somebody else is passing me. I love that hunger and feeling of someone is trying to take it for me. … My dad always said, ‘Play every shift like it’s your last,’ and that’s something that’s always stuck with me.”
To accomplish all that he has and remain committed to the game while mourning the loss of his father is truly a remarkable testament of strength, perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship.
Regardless of whether he wins the award or not, fans can rest assured they have one of the most outstanding captains in the league leading their team on the ice each and every night.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will continue their three-game homestand against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at 7 p.m. MST.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
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