Clayton Keller #9 of the Utah Hockey Club walks to the ice for warm-up prior to a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on November 24, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – For 75 games this season, Utah Hockey Club forward Clayton Keller has sported one unique difference on his sweater. As the first captain in franchise history, a “C” has been sewn on his sweater every night to represent his momentous leadership role.
But how did he get there and what has it meant to be forever etched in history as the first captain in Utah’s NHL history?
Let’s go back to his early years with the franchise to paint a complete picture of his journey to wear the Utah “C”.
Originally selected No. 7 overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2016 draft, Keller weathered many of the previous organization’s darkest days.
During his eight years in Arizona, the Coyotes averaged just 69 points per season and only made the playoffs once (2019-2020) where they were eliminated in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche 4-1.
Despite the lack of team success, Keller focused on his game, embraced new assignments, earned multiple All-Star honors (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), learned from those around him and experienced steady growth in terms of his offensive production.
Over the years, Keller also worked with a mental coach to discuss leadership and what it means to have the right mindset.
“Lots of improvement. Lots of learning. Getting better every single year. Being around great leaders,” Keller said.
“I have a mental coach that I work with. We talk a lot about leadership, mindset, and how I am as a person. I think that’s something that’s helped me get to next level on and off the ice.”
While being an NHL captain has always been a goal for Keller, that desire significantly grew over the last 18 months for both him and the organization.
As the face of the franchise and one of the primary leaders in the Coyotes final days, Keller was often the mouthpiece and embraced the role as they transitioned to Utah.
“I don’t know if there was an exact moment, but it was always in my head the last year and half. I was just focused on doing everything I can to come into the season as best as I could,” Keller explained.
“I knew they would reach if that was something we both wanted so I’m glad with how it worked out.”
On October 4, 2024, just days before the inaugural season began, the Utah Hockey Club made history by naming Clayton Keller the organization’s first-ever captain.
Related: Clayton Keller Named First Utah Hockey Club Captain
Since then, Keller has displayed the “C” proudly on his sweater by continuously setting the tone, leading the team offensively with 80 points and doing whatever it takes to help the team win hockey games.
“As a leader, Clayton exemplifies the values of our organization and the identity we want to build for our franchise here in Utah. Indeed, we are proud to name him the first captain in the history of Utah Hockey Club,” said Chris Armstrong, president of hockey operations of Utah Hockey Club.
One particular performance that embodies Keller’s leadership was on January 20, 2025, against the NHL’s best Winnipeg Jets.
After taking a puck up high and receiving 12 stitches, Keller returned to the ice, registered an assist and scored a goal despite a severely swollen eye.
Clayton Keller:
“I’m feeling great.”
“I was kinda sitting there for like 20 minutes just laying down on my back. When I came back out I just tried to get my legs into it & be simple.”
He received 12 stitches. pic.twitter.com/dqZdnee2nh
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
A two-point, 12-stitch night for Clayton Keller in Utah’s 5-2 win against the Jets 💪 pic.twitter.com/i86xr1xDkB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 21, 2025
“Growing up my dad said, ‘If you’re good, you get up. If you’re hurt, then you can stay down. If you’re not hurt, then you get up,'” Keller shared.
“That’s something that’s always been in my brain since I was a young kid. The times I’ve gotten hit, it’s right back up. You don’t sit there and take a rest or break unless you’re in some true pain.”
Like Armstrong shared, Keller has exemplified the values and identity of the Utah Hockey Club every single day.
As a team looking to emerge from a rebuild and take the next step towards consistent postseason berths, Keller has played with the necessary urgency and desperation required every time he’s stepped onto the ice.
While it’s still a learning process and he has a lot more years of captaincy ahead of him, Utah’s leader is dedicated to personal growth.
“It’s how you show up every day. Preparation, mindset, I’ve been a lot more vocal on the bench this year…obviously I’m learning. I’m always the hardest critique of myself over anyone. I think that’s a good thing,” Keller said.
With nearly a full season as captain in the rearview mirror, it’s clear Utah made the right choice by selecting a ferocious competitor who is honored to wear both the “C” and U-T-A-H across his chest.
“It means a lot. It’s super cool to think about it that way. It’s forever & I’m the first one,” Keller said with a grin on his face.
“It’s something that I definitely don’t take lightly. I’m just super, super thankful.”
Clayton Keller on what it means to be the first ever #UtahHC captain:
“It means a lot. It’s super cool to think about it that way. It’s forever & I’m the first one.”
“It’s something that I definitely don’t take lightly. I’m just super, super thankful.” pic.twitter.com/he4fEp9yPu
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 1, 2025
The Utah Hockey Club will now host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
