After recovering from a gruesome injury, Arizona Coyotes' right winger Clayton Keller had his best statistical season putting himself in contention for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Arizona Coyotes' forward Clayton Keller was named a finalist for the 2022-23 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Keller is truly qualified to win this award.
On March 30, 2022, Keller suffered a fractured femur ending his season. Keller’s injury was described by Coyotes’ general manager Bill Armstrong as “gruesome.” The injury was so serious to the point that Keller feared it could affect his playing career.
"The first thing I asked the doc when I was in the [hospital] room is, you know, will I be able to play again?" Keller said via ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. "When he said I would, it felt a lot better."
Keller’s journey to get back on the ice was not easy. Early on in Keller’s rehab process, he struggled to even walk normally which concerned Armstrong.
"I think it was just a weird feeling to have that rod in his leg, you know? Every time it moved, it just kind of freaked him out," Armstrong said. "[Keller] couldn't really walk correctly. I was like, 'There's no way he can skate, right?'"
Despite a long rehab process over the course of last summer, Keller returned to the Coyotes lineup for the start of the 2022-23 season. Keller defied all odds and had a career year tallying 37 goals, 49 assists and 86 points in 81 games.
"I was super proud with the way I was able to bounce back and have my best year since being in the league," Keller said via Coyotes' team reporter Patrick Brown. "There was a lot of hard work, effort, sacrifice to get me to this point, and now it's a matter of doing it again."
The other two finalists for the Bill Masterton Award are Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock. The 2023 NHL Awards will take place on June 26 in the City of Nashville.
If Keller is able to win the Bill Masterton Award, he will join some elite company that includes Carey Price, Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux.
No matter what though, Keller has a bright future in the NHL and this is just the beginning of what is to come for the 24-year-old.