Captain Clayton Keller #9 of team USA lift the IIHF trophy after the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship match between Switzerland and USA at Avicii Arena on May 25, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Mammoth Captain Clayton Keller will represent the Stars and Stripes in Milan next month as the 27-year-old forward was officially named as one of 20 skaters on Team USA’s Olympic roster.
Official: Utah Mammoth Captain Clayton Keller has been named to Team USA’s Olympic roster.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 2, 2026
Despite some uncertainty and somewhat of a down year in terms of production, Keller has earned himself a spot on USA’s Olympic roster with a complete body of work over the last 15 months.
In addition to being named Utah’s first ever captain, Keller finished the 2024/25 season with 60 assists (second-most among all Americans in the NHL) and 90 total points (third-most among all Americans).
“It means everything,” Keller said in regard to representing the United States. “It’s the best feeling ever. I loved so much my time playing at the U.S. program. Can’t thank them enough for my development and just everything. Shaped me into the person I am today.”
“USA hockey has come a long way and it’s only getting better.”
While the Mammoth did miss the playoffs in their inaugural season, Keller followed up an excellent individual campaign by captaining the United States to their first gold medal at the World Championship tournament in nearly a century.
During the tournament, Keller scored three goals and added seven assists for the United States.
“It was super cool,” Keller told KSL Sports. “It’s something that I haven’t done in a long time.”
“Something I will remember forever. So, it was a great experience, and it was cool to win it.”
46 years removed from their last gold medal at the Olympics (1980), the goal is simple for the United States.
Win the tournament.
According to the newly named Olympian, it will be gold or bust for the U.S. in Milan given their talent and progress in recent years.
“Its gold or it’s a failure,” Keller told KSL Sports. “Simple as that.”
“With the talent we have and what we expect out of going there. We expect to win. That’s it.”
Keller and the United States will open the men’s tournament against Latvia on February 12.
The Utah Mammoth will continue their three-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils on January 3 at 1 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
