Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports.\u00a0Keep up with him on X here<\/a>.\u00a0You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
\nTake us with you, wherever you go.<\/p>\n
SALT LAKE CITY \u2014 The 2025-26 season has been full of both triumph and tribulation for Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
On the night of Nov. 27, just as the team began a six-game road trip, Clayton\u2019s father Bryan unexpectedly died in his sleep.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith a heavy heart, we had tough news as a family yesterday. Clayton Keller\u2019s dad (Bryan) passed away unexpectedly in his sleep, \u201d Head coach Andre Tourigny announced on November 28.<\/p>\n
Following the death of his father, Keller had every reason to step away from the game to properly mourn. But that\u2019s not what his dad would\u2019ve wanted.<\/p>\n
Rather, Keller discovered solace on the ice as he persevered and remained dedicated to the game he loves.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that mindset and example that has earned him the Utah Mammoth nomination for the NHL\u2019s Bill Masterton Memorial trophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what he (Keller\u2019s dad) no doubt would\u2019ve wanted me to do,\u201d Keller said. \u201cThat was the first thing that came out of my mom\u2019s mouth, my brother\u2019s mouth, my mouth. We all said the same thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would\u2019ve wanted me to play no matter what. It was a no-brainer for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every year, each chapter of the Professional Hockey Writer\u2019s Association nominates one player for the Masterton award who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.<\/p>\n
This year, there\u2019s no player more worthy of that award than Utah\u2019s captain.<\/p>\n
\u201cClayton is certainly deserving of this\u00a0Masterton\u00a0Trophy nomination,\u201d said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. \u201cClayton persevered through one of the hardest life events a man can encounter with\u00a0tremendous leadership, perseverance, and resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just one of many examples of why Clayton is an exemplary captain and the entire organization is extremely proud of everything he\u2019s accomplished this season.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Armstrong pointed out, Keller demonstrated each of those qualities over the course of a remarkably challenging season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know he would do the same thing for me,\u201d Keller said in regard to helping Cooley to the bench that day. \u201cEspecially Cools. I see a lot of myself as a younger player in him. \u2026 I just truly respect him so much and love his game. I\u2019ll do anything for him, and he would do the same for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKells is an unbelievable guy,\u201d Cooley said. \u201c(He\u2019s) an unbelievable player. For me, the most underrated guy in the league \u2014 such a joy to be around.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly try to model my game after him a little bit,\u201d he added. \u201cHe\u2019s been a guy for me that I\u2019ve leaned on since coming into the league as a young kid. He\u2019s really done a great job of taking me under his wing. \u2026 He\u2019s been the best mentor that I could\u2019ve had coming into the league.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a nutshell, that\u2019s who Keller is \u2014 a\u00a0ferocious competitor who loves the game, his teammates, and will stop at nothing to get better every single day.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter if he\u2019s won a gold medal, is on the cusp of making the playoffs, or has experienced personal hardship, he\u2019s the same player regardless of the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHockey means everything,\u201d Keller said with a grin. \u201cIt\u2019s what I\u2019ve 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\u2019ve never been satisfied, no matter what I achieve or the goals I reach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s 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. \u2026 My dad always said, \u2018Play every shift like it\u2019s your last,\u2019 and that\u2019s something that\u2019s always stuck with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next for the Utah Mammoth?<\/p>\n
The Utah Mammoth will continue their three-game homestand against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at 7 p.m. MST.<\/p>\n
The game will be available on Mammoth+.<\/p>\n
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM\/1280 AM).<\/p>\n
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports.\u00a0Keep up with him on X here<\/a>.\u00a0You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
\nTake us with you, wherever you go.<\/p>\n
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