ARIZONA COYOTES
Coyotes’ Clayton Keller named as Bill Masterton Trophy finalist
May 9, 2023, 3:06 PM | Updated: 3:07 pm
Clayton Keller #9 of the Arizona Coyotes skates against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on April 06, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller is among three finalists for the Bill Masterton Trophy, the team announced Tuesday.
The other two finalists for the award are Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang and Chicago’s Alex Stalock.
“On behalf of the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, I would like to congratulate Clayton on being named as a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said in a press release on Tuesday.
“Clayton worked extremely hard to come back from his serious leg injury and he had an incredible year, tying the Coyotes record for points in a season. He demonstrated tremendous character, perseverance, and resilience and we are all very proud of him.”
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The award is handed out each year to an NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Keller turned it on this season after suffering a fractured femur just over a year ago, recording career highs in goals (37), assists (49) and points (86) through 80 games played in 2022-23. He paced all Coyotes in those categories.
He was also named the NHL’s First Star of the Week on March 13 following a 4-5-9 stretch and was the league’s Third Star of the entire Month.
The forward came in tied with Keith Tkachuk’s 86-point mark from the 1996-97 season for the most by a Coyote in a single season since moving to Arizona. His goal production is the third-most in a single season since heading to the Valley in 1996.
A total of 32 players were initial finalists for the award in April before it was whittled down to just three on Tuesday.
