ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller named NHL Rookie of the Month for March

Apr 1, 2018, 11:12 AM | Updated: 11:13 am

Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) skates around Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar ...

Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) skates around Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Tatar during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 28, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

(AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller has been on a tear as of late.

And for his efforts, Keller was named NHL Rookie of the Month for March.

“I think our team is playing really well right now and that’s main thing I’m focused on. My play will take care of itself, so I’ve kind of always blocked those things out and kind of look at it at after the season or something like that.” Keller told ArizonaCoyotes.com. “We all have confidence and I think it’s going good.”

In 17 games played in March, Keller led all rookies with 13 assists and 19 points, netting six shots.

He also registered a point in 14 of the 17 games played in March, including a 10-game streak from March 11-28. It was the longest streak by any rookie this season and is tied for the third longest streak by a rookie in Coyotes history behind Teemu Selanne (17) and Keith Tkachuk (12).

Keller is one of 10 players to reach the 60-point mark in Coyotes history. He currently has the most goals (23), assists (40) and points (63) in a season for a rookie in Coyotes history.

The seventh overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft has played in 79 games this season for the Coyotes. He ranks in the top five among NHL rookies in a number of categories:

Shots on goal – 1st; 201

Goals – 5th; 23

Points – 2nd; 63

Assists – 2nd; 40

Power-play Assists – 3rd; 14

Power-play Points – 4th; 20

Power-play Goals – T-4th; 6

“This is probably the biggest summer of my life coming up here so I have to work hard, continue to get better in the weight room and continue to do the things that I’ve alwasy done to get me to this level,” Keller said. “I think if I can do that, I will come back even stronger next year.”

This wasn’t his first NHL Rookie of the Month award either.

In October, Keller received the honors after going 9-6-15 in 13 games played. Vancouver’s Brock Boeser is the only other rookie to win the award twice this season.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

1 day ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

1 day ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

3 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

7 days ago

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller named NHL Rookie of the Month for March