NHL draft tracker: Clayton Keller, U.S. Under-18 Team

U.S. Under-18 Team centre Clayton Keller took the road less travelled in his minor hockey career before he joined Shattuck St. Mary’s, a prestigious Minnesota-based hockey program, as a 14-year-old. He started learning the ropes in Illinois and went on to play for the St. Louis Blues minor hockey program in Missouri.

“It all started when I played on a team called the Southern Illinois Ice Hawks,” says Keller, who was born in Swansea, Il. “I got involved there and played in St. Louis when I was seven or eight. I played with guys like (Windsor Spitfires forward) Logan Brown and his dad (ex-NHLer) Jeff Brown coached me. I also had (former NHLer) Keith Tkachuk coach me and was able to learn a lot there from some smart hockey coaches.”

With a 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame, Keller stands out in the 2016 NHL draft class because the first tier of forwards is made up of many bigger power-forwards. He feels his lack of height has ultimately benefited his career because it has pushed him to find ways to develop a strong overall game.

“I think being a smaller guy has worked to my advantage in some ways,” says Keller, whom NHL Central Scouting Service ranked as an A-list prospect (projected first-round pick) in September. “Bigger guys can sometimes get away with making some mistakes and not doing the little things right, but there’s more pressure on smaller guys to do the little things right. I think that’s pushed me to work harder and make sure I’m working on the little things as well as the bigger things.”

Largely because of the combination of his soft hands, elite playmaking skills and offensive creativity, Keller has elicited some comparisons to Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. It’s fitting that he sees Kane as one of the players that has inspired him to play hockey.

“Guys like Patrick Kane and Johnny Gaudreau have been an inspiration for me,” he says. “The success they have had as smaller guys shows it can be done. Those are two players I look up to.”

Keller, 17, is poised to join Boston University in 2016-17 following his second season with the United States National Team Development Program. He will see some familiar faces in Boston, as some of his USNTDP teammates are also committed to the prestigious program.

“Boston U was the best fit for me,” says Keller, who has four goals and 13 points in nine games this season. “They have a great facility and great coaches there. I felt it was the best spot for me to play and with guys like (USNTDP teammates) Kieffer Bellows and David Farrance going there, I thought it would be cool to continue to play on the same team as them.”

1. You mentioned Johnny Gaudreau and Patrick Kane as your favourite players, do you also try to model your game after them?

“Definitely. They are smaller skilled guys that I can learn a lot from. They both play with speed and have great hands. I watch them play and can learn a lot from them.”

2. Do you have a favourite NHL team?

“I like the Blues because I grew up watching them and got to know guys like Tkachuk, but I also watch and like the Blackhawks.”

3. What was your experience like at Shattuck St. Mary’s School?

“It was a great experience there. It was hard moving away from home at 14, but it was a special experience to just live a hockey lifestyle 24/7 and play in the same program as guys like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews. I’m definitely happy I went there and it helped prepare me for the next step.”

4. What’s your favourite movie or TV show?

“My favourite TV show would be Suits. It’s just a great show on Netflix. I’d have to go with Happy Gilmour for my favourite movie because it’s a great comedy”

5. If you weren’t entrenched in hockey, what other sport would you be pursuing right now?

“Golf. I play all the time and enjoy the game. I took lessons before and have always enjoyed getting a chance to play the game.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen