Keller Excited For NHL Awards, Masterton Nomination 'Means a lot'

In June 2022, Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller was in the midst of six months of rehab, working tirelessly to recover from a devastating leg injury.

One year (and one spectacular season) later, the 24-year-old is at the NHL Awards in Nashville as a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Keller's injury - he fractured his femur after sliding awkwardly into the boards legs-first against the San Jose Sharks on March 30, 2022 - required surgery to repair, and the endless summer rehab followed. It didn't take the three-time All-Star much time to get back into the swing of things for the 2022-23 season, though, as he posted career-bests in goals (37), assists (49), and points (86), tying Coyotes great Keith Tkachuk's all-time points mark set in 1996-97.

That resulted in a trip to Music City, where Keller is a Masterton Finalist alongside Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock.

"It means a lot," Keller said. "I didn't know what to expect coming into the year, how my leg would feel, and things like that, so it's great to be here. So many people have made sacrifices for me to be at this point and get to where I'm at, and I'm super thankful for that."

The Masterton Trophy is awarded to "the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey," and is actually the second time in Keller's career he's been a finalist at the NHL Awards.

The Chesterfield, Mo. native finished third in Calder Trophy voting for the NHL's Rookie of the Year following the 2017-18 season after posting 65 points on 23 goals and 42 assist in 82 games.

This past season was truly special for Keller, who recorded his first career hat trick, represented the Coyotes at the 2023 NHL All-Star game, was named the league's third star of the month in March, first star of the week on March 13, and recorded a Coyotes-record 14-game point streak.

He played in all 82 games of the season for the third time in seven seasons, and as previously mentioned, tied Tkachuk's mark of 86 points. That achievement meant even more to Keller considering he was coached by the Coyotes legend while growing up in the St. Louis area.

"He sent me a nice text; He's always supported me, so it definitely means a lot," Keller said. "It's a huge honor to be here. Nashville is a great spot, and the last one was in Vegas. Two great cities, and I have a lot of family and friends coming out to support me, so it means a lot."

He also said he has already spent much of the offseason training back at home in Arizona, but those efforts are a far cry from what he was persevering through a year ago at this time.

"Last summer there wasn't a whole lot of training or skating, really, instead I was just trying to feel normal again and go from there," Keller said. "It's definitely nice to have a summer where I'm healthy and feel like myself, and it feels like a head start from where I was last year."

His co-finalists, Letang and Stalock, both had incredible seasons of their own. Letang not only had to cope with the loss of his father, but he also suffered the second stroke of his life. The 36-year-old recorded 41 points in 64 games, and is nominated for the Masterton for the second time in his career (2014-15).

Stalock, meanwhile, had played just one NHL game since the 2019-20 season following a myocarditis diagnosis, but appeared in 27 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022-23 after signing as a free agent. He was 9-15-2 with a 3.01 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

Keller said he's grateful to be alongside both of them at the awards, and added that he has followed Letang's career "since I was a little kid."

"It's great - it's two guys that overcame a lot of adversity, and ultimately came out on top, played hard, finished strong, and had great years," Keller said. "It's two great guys, and it's awesome to be up there with them."

The winner will be announced at Bridgestone Arena on Monday, and televised on TNT, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports at 5 pm MST. Regardless of the outcome, Keller's hard work and perseverance is on display for the hockey world to see.

"Any time you're up for an award, or anything like that, it shows how much work you put in and all the sacrifices you make, so it's great to be here," he said. "I'm super thankful."