ST. LOUIS – Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller decided to play in his hometown two days after the death of his father, Bryan, who died unexpectedly on Thanksgiving Day.
Before Saturday night’s match, the Blues paid tribute to Keller and his 64-year-old father, displaying a photo on the screen and observing a minute of silence.
The Mammoth lost 1-0 against the Blues.
Keller spoke after the match for the first time since his father’s death.
Keller also played on Friday in Dallas, but did not record any points in the 4-3 loss to the Stars. The Stars honored him by naming him the first star.For me and my family, thank you very much to the Blues for everything they did tonight. They didn’t have to do it.
Clayton Keller
For Keller, it was important to play, especially in St. Louis, at the Enterprise Center. Family members, including his mother and grandmother, were present.That’s the incredible thing about hockey. There are incredible people in this game. It comes from the right place, from the heart.
Andre Tourigny, coach of the Mammoth
Keller, 27, has played all 10 NHL seasons with the Arizona-Utah franchise and was named captain before last season, when the team moved to Salt Lake City. The seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft and a four-time All-Star, he was a 30-goal scorer in each of the last three seasons, including career highs last season with 60 assists and 90 points. He has 21 points this season, including eight goals.There are many memories on this rink. I remember growing up and coming to games here, sitting on my dad’s lap and my grandfather’s lap. I admired those players and wanted to be there.
Clayton Keller
First, the technical staff and management have been incredible. It’s beyond words.
Clayton Keller
