Utah’s hockey future shines as Clayton Keller leads Mammoth into Year 2

Clayton Keller is a product of a local commitment to grow hockey.

The Utah Mammoth captain — and Chesterfield, Missouri, native — was one of the five players selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft who were brought up through the St. Louis youth hockey system.

The burst of talent from the area was fueled by the commitment of former Blues players, like Keith Tkachuk, Jeff Brown and Al MacInnis, to stay within the community and develop kids to the next level.

Following the Mammoth’s inaugural season in Salt Lake City, Keller is hoping to make a similar impact as one of the faces of the league’s newest franchise. The forward was in St. George on Saturday, attending the final event for the team’s “Mammoth Week”, which featured free street hockey, on-ice clinics, retail pop-up shops, team-branded giveaways and other activities.

The statewide summer setup stopped in seven locations — Logan, Provo, Park City, Cottonwood, Ogden, Enoch and St. George — from July 26 to Aug. 2.

“It’s super cool to come to places where hockey is growing or maybe places where hockey is not quite as big yet. It’s super cool to be here, see their excitement,” Keller said. “They all love watching us on TV, but to be able to meet with someone that plays and talk with them is cool. And maybe it will keep them more interested in the game and growing the game in Utah.”

Keller had conversations with the many young fans who lined up to meet him and get autographs and photos on Saturday. For some, it was the first time seeing Keller in person, as St. George is around a four-hour drive from the Delta Center.

“I think it’s great anytime you’re in the community and giving back,” Keller said. “Those are the people that cheer you on the most and want the best for your team and yourself.”

Mammoth play-by-play announcer Matt McConnell was also in attendance with Keller. McConnell joined the “Mammoth Week” festivities in Enoch and ended in St. George. He said he was “blown away” by the turnout and how enthusiastic the youth were about their hockey team.

“They were getting stickers and things like that. They had all sorts of games — you could take your picture in the Brandon Tanev frame and all that stuff. Veggie’s gear from last year was there, and the kids were trying on the gear," McConnell said, referring to goaltender Karel Vejmelka. “It was hilarious.”

Before moving to Utah to be part of SEG Media, McConnell was the play-by-play voice of the Arizona Coyotes for 13 years. He was witness to Arizona — a state once considered untraditional for the NHL — turning into a place where stars come out of. A lot of it had to do with the grassroots efforts that he is now seeing with the Mammoth in Utah.

“Arizona was the same thing. Arizona has produced a lot of players that have gone on to play Division I and beyond. You think of Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews and that. I think it is only a matter of time over the next decade or so that Utah starts to get on the map for kids going to college to play,” McConnell said.

“There’s no doubt Utah needs more rinks. That has to happen. When you build a rink, they come. They show up, get involved and love it.”

McConnell and the Mammoth broadcast team were quick to make their mark in the market and beyond. SEG Media was ranked third in The Athletic’s recent fan poll of all of the league’s broadcast productions. The strong first impression, per the public survey, was based on the group’s ability to educate a new fanbase while still pulling in avid hockey-watchers in an engaging manner.

“First, I think it was humbling for all of us. To me, I’m excited for the group because we genuinely have a really good group involved in broadcasting,” McConnell said. “You’ve got to be passionate — and we’re all passionate about hockey and promoting the game. And everybody has to get along, and we genuinely love being around each other. I really think it’s a winning combination.”

McConnell called a lot of goals from Keller last season, 30, to be exact. Keller wants to build on that career year individually but, more importantly, as a team.

The 27-year-old has spent the offseason training in Arizona. Keller also went home to Missouri to see his grandma and go to a wedding, he said. The highlight of his summer, though, was earning a gold medal with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. He was the captain and had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 10 games.

“It feels so good to win. I hadn’t had that feeling since the World Juniors, I think it was. It’s just a special feeling,” Keller said. “Those memories with that group of guys, I’ll remember forever. It definitely adds hunger, and you want to take that into the season and go from there.”

Keller raised the trophy alongside Mammoth teammate Logan Cooley and now former teammates Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan. Kesselring and Doan were dealt as a package to the Buffalo Sabres in June in exchange for J.J. Peterka.

The move was one piece of general manager Bill Armstrong’s plan to come into the 2025-26 campaign with a stronger roster. The Mammoth were active in free agency, too, bringing in players like Nate Schmidt, Brandon Tanev and Vitek Vaněček.

“It sucks losing guys, but at the end of the day, it is a business. They have to do what is best for our team, and I think they’ve made great signings in free agency and through trade as well. I think all of those guys are really going to help our team in different ways,” Keller said. “It is cool to be a part of free agency and know that people believe in this group. We want to actually take that next step.”

Led by Keller, the Mammoth will begin their second season in Utah on Oct. 9 against the Colorado Avalanche. The home opener at Delta Center is on Oct. 15 against the Calgary Flames.