Mammoth's Clayton Keller plays in 4-3 loss to the Stars one day after father's death

DALLAS (AP) — Mammoth captain Clayton Keller played for Utah in Friday night’s 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, one day after the unexpected death of his father.

As a tribute, Keller was named the game’s first star.

“He loves his teammates so much, and his teammates just love him so much,” Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. "He drives our passion and our competitiveness every night. He’s the kind of guy who wants to be better every night. We cannot have a better example of a captain.”

The 27-year-old Keller has played all 10 of his NHL seasons with the Arizona-Utah franchise and was named captain before last season, when the club moved to Salt Lake City. The seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft and four-time All-Star was a 30-goal scorer each of the past three seasons, including career highs last season with 60 assists and 90 points. He went into Friday’s game second on the club with 21 points, including eight goals.

“Obviously, Kell’s our leader in the locker room but also away from the rink. He’s done an incredible job leading us and guiding us,” Lawson Crouse said. “I’ve been with him for 10-plus years now. It’s really our turn to support him. It’s hard news, and we’re all trying to deal with it in the best way that we can.”

“I don’t know how the young man played, to be quite honest with you,” Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said. “A lot of credit to him. My heart goes out to him and his family.”

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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) and Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) position for a puck drop during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) defends the goal against Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and defenseman Esa Lindell (23) defend the goal against Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller looks up from the bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) — Canada beat Slovenia 3-1 to make it five wins from five games at the ice hockey world championship on Friday.

Emmitt Finnie led with a goal and an assist and Denton Mateychuk and Dylan Cozens also scored. Jet Greaves stopped 13 shots as Canada outshot Slovenia 32-14.

Mateychuk, playing in his first worlds, skated to the top of the left circle before shooting past Slovenia goaltender Zan Us at 11:07 in the opening period.

Cozens added the second from the slot with 6:46 remaining in the middle period for his third goal in Switzerland. Sidney Crosby bagged his sixth assist at the tournament.

Finnie made it 3-0 by deflecting in a shot by Morgan Rielly from the blue line in the final period.

Rozle Bohinc scored a consolation goal for Slovenia with 1:05 left.

Canada tops Group B in Fribourg with Slovakia trailing by three points. The teams meet on Sunday.

Canada has won four games in regulation and one in overtime.

In a Group A in Zurich, Germany downed Hungary 6-2 for its first victory at the worlds after four defeats. Leon Gawanke sparked the Germans with a hat trick.

Later Friday, Finland played Britain in Zurich and Sweden faced Italy in Fribourg.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Canada's Sidney Crosby, left, vies for the puck against Slovenia's Miha Bericic, right, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Canada's Emmitt Finnie, left, clashes against Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us, right, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Canada's Dylan Cozens, second right, celebrates his goal with his teammates Canada's Canada's Macklin Celebrini, left, Sidney Crosby, left, and Canada's Denton Mateychuk, right, centre, after scoring during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us, left, concedes his second goal past Slovenia's Blaz Gregorc, right, and Canada's Sidney Crosby, center, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Canada's Emmitt Finnie, right, clashes against Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)