The 24-year-old Keller suffered a fractured femur during a game versus the San Jose Sharks on March 30, 2022. Keller had successful surgery on his leg and underwent six months of rehab to be ready for the start of the NHL season. In 2022-23, Keller recorded a career-high 37-49-86 while playing in all 82 games. His 86 points finished tied with Keith Tkachuk (1996-97) for the most in a single season in Coyotes history while his 37 goals are the third-most since the team relocated to Arizona in 1996.
"On behalf of the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, I would like to congratulate Clayton on being named as a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy," said Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong. "Clayton worked extremely hard to come back from his serious leg injury and he had an incredible year, tying the Coyotes record for points in a season. He demonstrated tremendous character, perseverance, and resilience and we are all very proud of him."
In addition, Keller was selected by the League to represent the Coyotes at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game. He was also named as the NHL's Third Star of the Month in March, the first by a Coyotes player since February 2012, when he registered 12-12-24 which were Keller's most points in any month and the most points by a Coyote in a month in team history. Keller also had a Coyotes record 14-game point streak during the month which led all NHL players in scoring during that stretch (11-12-23). On March 13, he was named as the NHL's First Star of the Week after recording 4-5-9 in four games.
The Chesterfield, Missouri native finished the season as the Coyotes leader in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (4-tied), power-play goals (20), and shots (223), which are all new career-highs.
The other two finalists for the award are Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Stalock of the Chicago Blackhawks.
