Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka selected puck wizard Clayton Keller with the 7th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old forward has laid out his development plan to the Coyotes.
The new look front office of the Arizona Coyotes isn’t above taking a few risks for greater rewards.
That’s precisely the thought behind drafting 17-year-old offensive dynamo Clayton Keller 7th overall instead of aiming for one of the defensemen that analysts had pegged to be desert bound.
Chayka’s sleight of hand secured both Keller and his defender of choice, Jakob Chychrun, and now the talk shifts to the development of the two touted prospects.
Keller was in the enviable position of having multiple options to further his pro career.
He could choose to play for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, or he could continue on his chosen path of attending Boston University. He chose college.
When asked about the decision, Keller replied, “I think my decision right now is Boston University and that’s not going to change. That’s what I’ll be doing next year.”
For Arizona Coyotes fans, the most intriguing part of Clayton Keller’s statements on his future revolve once again around his own self confidence.
Corey Pronman reports that Keller stated that his goal is to play at Boston University for one year and be ready to join the Coyotes in 2017-18.
That’s a big leap for a kid 17-year-old kid weighing just 168 pounds to make in a year’s time, but it’s an enticing one.
If Keller reaches the desert at any point prior to puck drop in 2018-19, one would think Chayka and company would have to call the pick a major win.
A year sooner? That’s a hell of a draft day steal.
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