"I'm incredibly honored to be selected as one of the NHL's Calder Trophy finalists," said Keller, who also co-led the Coyotes with 42 assists and was voted Arizona's Most Valuable Player by members of the media who regularly cover the team. "Congratulations to Mathew and Brock, who are both great players and had fantastic seasons. Thanks to all of the PHWA members for voting for me and thanks to all of my teammates and coaches. Without them this wouldn't have been possible."
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Barzal led NHL rookies in points (85) and assists (63). Boeser notched 29 goals, the second-most among rookies, and 55 points in 62 games. He was the MVP of the NHL All-Star Game.
Keller played in all 82 games and ranked second to Barzal in points and assists among first-year players. He averaged 18:05 of ice time, the most of any rookie forward.
"What marvels me is that he's a 19-year-old kid," Head Coach Rick Tocchet said during the season. "He's only going to get better … I know I rely on him a lot as a 19-year-old. I'm playing him 18 or 19 minutes against the best of the best. In all fairness, that's a lot of pressure. But he loves it and that's what I love about him."
Keller, whom Arizona selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, set Coyotes rookie season records for goals, assists, points, games, multi-point games (14), longest point streak (10 games), and most points in a calendar month (19 in March). Twice the NHL recognized him for his stellar play by naming him its Rookie of the Month (October and March).
Keller is the third Calder Trophy finalist in Coyotes/Jets history. Dale Hawerchuk (1981-82) and Teemu Selanne (1992-93) each won the award.
The winner of the Calder Trophy will be announced on June 20 as part of the 2018 NHL Awards show in Las Vegas.
