Keller Named CHN Rookie of the Year

CHN Staff Report

PRINCETON, N.J.  Boston University freshman Clayton Keller has been named College Hockey News' Rookie of the Year for 2016-17.

Keller, who was selected No. 7 overall in last June's NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, jumped on the scene with two goals in his first two games, and hasn't looked back.

All told this season, Keller has 20 goals and 42 points in 29 games, including a plus-14 ratings, four power-play goals and four shorthanded goals. His numbers may have been more impressive had he not missed a handful of games with an injury and because of his time with the U.S. World Junior team.

Keller won a gold medal this year with the aforementioned Team USA, defeating Canada in the final game. He had 3-8—11 in seven games in the tournament.

"Keller is an elite player due to his combination of skill, speed, hockey IQ and vision," CBS Sports Network hockey analyst Dave Starman said. "He has great deception in his game, makes decisions at full speed, hand and skating skills work together like a symphony. He makes his linemates better and knows how to utilize the different dynamics of his linemates to his and their advantage. What he has you can't teach."

The native of Chesterfield, Missouri, is just 18 years old. He joins Jack Eichel (2015) as winners of the CHN Award.

CHN will roll out the rest of its major award winners over the next two weeks.