Coyotes sign top prospect Keller to entry-level deal
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Coyotes signed forward Clayton Keller to an entry-level contract on Sunday.
Keller was the Coyotes first selection in the first round (seventh overall) in the 2016 NHL draft. He completed his freshman year at Boston University earlier this week and finished the season as the team's leading scorer with 21-24-45 and 26 penalty minutes (PIM) in 31 games.
"We are extremely pleased to sign Clayton to an entry-level contract," Coyotes GM John Chayka said in a statement. "Clayton is a highly skilled, dynamic forward. He is a strong skater who has a powerful shot and great hockey sense. We are excited to have him join our team and finish the regular season with the Coyotes."
The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Keller recorded at least one point in 28 of 31 games while at BU, tallied 15 multi-point games and finished tied for seventh in the nation with a 1.45 points per game average.
Keller, 18, also played in the 2017 World Junior Championships in Canada earlier this year, helping to lead the United States to the gold medal. He had the third-most points in the tournament and led the team in scoring with 3-8-11 in seven games.
Last season, the Swansea, Illinois native registered 37-70-107 in 62 games for the U.S. National Development team. The forward's career point total of 46-84-130 in 78 games is the second-most all-time for the U.S. National U18 Team and he is the all-time assists leader with 84 assists.
With the addition of Keller, Arizona's current roster features eight draft picks since 2011: Connor Murphy (20th overall, 2011), Jordan Martinook (58th, 2012), Max Domi (12th, 2013), Brendan Perlini (12th, 2014), Christian Dvorak (58th, 2014), Christian Fischer (32nd, 2015) and Jakob Chychrun (16th, 2016).
