SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club, NHL’s newest team, has named St. Louis native Clayton Keller as its first captain in franchise history.

The Utah Hockey Club is gearing up for its inaugural NHL season after inheriting the Arizona Coyotes roster. NHL officials approved the sale and relocation of the Coyotes in the offseason, paving the way for Utah’s new franchise.

That said, the Arizona Coyotes’ history will stay with the former franchise, and Utah starts anew in building its hockey history this season.

Keller, a 26-year-old forward, had spent his entire eight-year NHL career with the Coyotes up to this point. A two-time All-Star, Keller is highly respected among his teammates and widely regarded as a game-changer with his speed and sharp shooting abilities.

Keller set career-highs in goals (37), assists (49) and points (86) in the 2022-23 NHL season. He finished within striking distance of those marks last year (33 goals, 43 assists, 76 points) while averaging around 20 minutes of ice time per game.

Keller was born in suburban St. Louis (Chesterfield) and raised in nearby Swansea, Illinois. He played in many St. Louis-area junior leagues growing up, along with emerging star Matthew Tkachuk.

“I’m extremely honored to be named captain of Utah Hockey Club,” said Keller via NHL.com. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and want to thank the entire organization for believing in me. I understand it’s a privilege to be a captain in the NHL, and a huge honor to know that management, coaches, and my teammates have the belief in me to lead this team. It’s a huge responsibility and one I have prepared my whole life for.”

Keller was wearing an “A” as a Utah alternate captain in his first few preseason games. That “A” will switch to a “C,” starting with its preseason finale on Saturday.

Keller’s hometown St. Louis Blues will host the Utah Hockey Club for their first head-to-head matchup on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Enterprise Center.