With his team having earned its first-ever playoff spot, the Utah Sports Commission has named Utah Mammoth Captain Clayton Keller its Professional Male Athlete of the Year.
“I’m honored to be named the 2026 Professional Male Athlete of the Year recipient and to be recognized by the Utah Sports Commission,” said Keller in a press release. “The support that I have received from the state and fans has been second to none since we first arrived in Utah two years ago. I’m so proud to represent the entire state, and the love from the people is what inspires me to excel every night. I’m very appreciative of this recognition and would like to extend my congratulations to all award recipients this year.”
The Arizona Coyotes selected Keller, 27, with the No. 7 pick in the 2016 NHL draft. Because all of the Coyotes’ players were transferred to Utah, Keller has never been officially traded or signed to another team. He’s the Mammoth’s first and only captain in team history.
Keller currently leads the Mammoth with 59 assists and 85 points. He’s the team’s all-time leader in points and assists, ranking second all-time in goals and games played.
During the Mammoth’s first season, Keller was one of 12 NHL players to reach the 90-goal mark and finished as one of only seven to lead his team in goals, assists and points.
Keller scored his 500 career NHL point in a victory over the Winnipeg Jets on April 4, 2026, becoming the fourth-youngest active American NHL player to achieve this. He is also the first player in the Utah franchise history to score 100 points.
Keller captained Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May 2025, leading the team to their first gold medal in 92 years. He was on the Team USA roster for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics. He played in four of six games and helping the team win their first Olympic gold medal since 1980.
Keller and the Mammoth earned a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. It’s the team’s first playoff appearance and Keller’s second, his first since the 2019-20 season.
Author: Lainey Porter
Photograph courtesy of Getty Imges and Icon Sportswire
Editor: Payson Davis