Mammoth’s Keller talks about the loss of his father

ST. LOUIS — Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller wanted to play in his hometown two days after his father, Brian, died suddenly in his sleep on Thanksgiving Day.

Before Saturday night’s game, the Blues displayed a photo of Keller and his father, who was 64, on the scoreboard and held a moment of silence.

The Mammoth beat the Blues 1-0.

Keller spoke after the game for the first time since his father’s death.

“For me and my family, a big thank you to the Blues for what they did tonight,” said an emotional Keller. “They didn’t have to do it.”

Keller also played Friday in Dallas, but did not record a point in a 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Stars honored him by calling him the first star.

“That’s unbelievable about hockey,” Mammoth coach Andre Touring said. “There are incredible people in this game, it comes from the right place, from the heart.

“We were hoping to get two points tonight for Kyle. It is what it is.”

It was important for Keller to play, especially at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Family members including his mother and grandmother attended.

“There are so many memories at this rink. I remember growing up and coming to games here, sitting on my dad’s lap and my grandpa’s lap,” Keller said. “I admire these players and want to go there.

“So, it’s definitely been a tough few days. I couldn’t have done it without my family and my teammates. They’ve always had my back. I care about them.”

The 27-year-old Keller has played all 10 of his NHL seasons with the Arizona-Utah franchise and was named captain before last season, when the club moved to Salt Lake City. The seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft and four-time All-Star was a 30-goal scorer in each of the past three seasons, including a career-high 60 assists and 90 points last season. He has 21 points this season, including eight goals.

He said that he appreciates all kinds of support.

“The first stop, the coaching staff, the management have been unbelievable,” Keller said. “It’s beyond words.”