In a momentous achievement, Clayton Keller, captain of the Utah Mammoth, has been honored as Utah’s 2026 Professional Male Athlete of the Year by the Utah Sports Commission. This marks the first time a Mammoth player has received this accolade since its inception in 2012.
Reflecting on the honor, Keller expressed his gratitude: “I’m honored to be named the 2026 Professional Male Athlete of the Year and to be recognized by the Utah Sports Commission. The support from the state and fans has been incredible since we arrived in Utah two years ago.
Representing the state is a privilege, and the love from the people 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.”
Keller, at 27, has been a standout performer for the Mammoth, leading the team in assists (57), points (86), and power-play points (6-28-34) over 85 games in 2025. His 29 goals were just shy of the team lead. Across the NHL, he ranked tied for third in power-play assists (28) and 10th in power-play points (34) during the calendar year.
In Utah’s inaugural season, Keller was among a select group of 12 NHL players to hit the 90-point mark. He was one of only seven players to lead his team in goals (30), assists (60), and points (90). His power-play prowess was evident, as he tied for seventh in assists (27) and third in points (37), setting new career highs.
Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 175 pounds, Keller hit a significant milestone by notching his 500th career NHL point in a win over Winnipeg on April 4, 2025, becoming the fourth-youngest active American player to achieve this. He started the 2025-26 season with a bang, reaching his 200th career goal and becoming the first in franchise history to score 100 points with Utah during a victory in St.
Louis on Oct. 23, 2025.
Hailing from Chesterfield, Mo., Keller also led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May, recording 3-7-10 in 10 games, ending a 92-year gold medal drought for the team. He capped off the year with a selection to the final United States roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, ultimately helping the team secure its first Olympic gold since 1980.