Clayton Keller #9 of the Utah Mammoth looks on before a face off against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Prudential Center on October 06, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – As the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative enters its 28th season, the NHLPA, league and the V foundation have partnered with a team of 16 HFC Champions to spread awareness.
As one of those champions, Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller is teaming up with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson for The Winter Face-Off: The Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes, a fundraising campaign inspired by the impact cancer has had on their families, including Keller’s late grandfather, Bill Simpson.
As Hockey Fights Cancer marks its 28th season, the NHLPA, NHL and the V Foundation are proud to partner with a growing team of 16 HFC Champions.
More on the group: https://t.co/Pg4bVPwg0P https://t.co/VvwxKx8Wag
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) October 13, 2026
It takes a village to raise a hockey player and for Clayton Keller, that village included his grandfather, Bill, who played a critical role in both his development and early life.
“He was everything to me growing up, honestly, because both of my parents worked and were super busy,” Keller explained. “Every day from school he would drive me 40 minutes to practice, practice at like six o’clock, 40 minutes back…huge part of my life. He made a lot of sacrifices for me.”
Raised in Swansea, Illinois, No. 9 needed a little help from family in order to play the game he loved.
But beyond the commutes, late practices, and care provided to both Clayton and his brother Jake, it was his grandfather’s belief that kept Keller going.
“He was always the one that believed in me the most,” Keller said. “He always kept me super confident and to trust myself.”
“He always believed that I would make it and be a star one day.”
Clayton Keller on joining the hockey fights cancer initiative for his grandpa:
“He was everything to me growing up…every day from school he would drive me 40 minutes to practice…he made a lot of sacrifices for me.”
“He was always the one that believed in me the most.” https://t.co/7ajIRFWcpk
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 17, 2026
Now 11 years after his grandfather’s passing, Keller has decided to honor him by becoming a Hockey Fights Cancer Champion.
“Losing my grandpa to cancer…he was the one that was huge for me growing up in hockey…he was a huge reason of why I’m here today,” Keller explained.
“Hockey is going to do everything we can to fight for a cure.”
Clayton Keller on joining the initiative:
“Losing my grandpa to cancer…he was the one that was huge for me growing up in hockey…he was a huge reason of why I’m here today.”
“Hockey is going to do everything we can to fight for a cure.”
#TusksUp https://t.co/ZqdrYBvc1V
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 17, 2026
Since its inception in 1998, the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative has raised more than $53 million.
Throughout the first two months of the season and leading up to the 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Rice Eccles Stadium, Keller and Manson will unite their respective fan bases to raise funds for life-saving cancer research through the V Foundation.
Fans can enter for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind NHL Winter Classic experience here.
The Utah Mammoth will face the Edmonton Oilers at the Delta Center on Saturday night at 8 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on SEG+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
