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    Forward Clayton Keller set to begin pro career with Coyotes

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ST. LOUIS – The Coyotes gave him a solo lap during the pregame skate and a spot in the starting lineup, recognition fit for a prized prospect appearing in his first game, but the setting for winger Clayton Keller’s debut seemed to make his introduction to the league even more meaningful.

“It’s pretty cool growing up coming to games here,” he said. “It was really special to have the first one here.”

After growing up in nearby Swansea, Ill., a Blues fan who attended games with his dad and grandfather, Keller was on the other side of the glass Monday with the Coyotes – skating in a 4-1 loss at Scottrade Center that didn’t appear to overwhelm the 18-year-old, who jumped to the pro level just two days after ending his college career with Boston University.

“Solid,” coach Dave Tippett said of Keller’s first impression. “He looks like a good player. He’s got good skill. He’s certainly not worried about getting into any confrontations. He plays hard along the wall. He’s not a big guy, but he competes hard. He looks like a hockey player. He’s got great hockey sense. You watch how he manages a game between line changes, just managing the puck, it was a good start for him.”

RELATED: Spotlight on Keller, rookies in Coyotes’ loss to Blues

Lined up next to center Alexander Burmistrov and winger Christian Fischer, Keller logged 14:09 with 1:48 coming on the power play. He didn’t register a shot on goal.

“I think after the first shift, you start to sink in and feel a bit more comfortable and get used to your linemates,” Keller said. “I thought our line didn’t play too bad out there. It was good.”

The seventh overall pick from last summer’s draft, Keller was under the spotlight from the get-go with the Coyotes sending him out first during warm-up to skate alone for a bit before they joined him on the ice.

“It was pretty cool guys let me go out first and kind of get a lap in,” he said. “That was pretty special.”

Later, when it was time for puck drop, Keller lined up at center ice next to Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko.

“It was awesome of him to come up and say, ‘Congrats on the first one here,’ ” Keller said. “It’s something that I’ll never forget, and he’s an unbelievable player – someone that I watched a couple years ago. He’s a star in the league and someone that I definitely look up to.”

MORE: Keller ready to embark on pro career with Coyotes

Keller’s focus in his first game was simply to battle and keep his feet moving. The pace of play is quicker than what he’s used to in college, but he feels he’ll adapt.

“It’s a lot different than college,” he said. “Way faster. I’ll get used to it.”

Burmistrov tried to help ease Keller’s transition by putting him in his comfort zone by funneling the puck his way.

“Tried to give him more passes,” Burmistrov said. “Get him the puck to make sure he feels more comfortable out there because if you’re that kind of player, if he’s playing without the puck he’s going to get frustrated. So I needed to give him the puck.”

This was also a significant game for Burmistrov, who returned after being sidelined since Feb. 28 when he absorbed an open-ice hit that sent him to the hospital.

“Happy,” he said. “I’ve been smiling the whole day today, so it’s nice to be back with the boys (and) stop hearing from the guys, ‘How is vacation going?’ It’s nice, and I love playing with those two young guys. They’re special guys. I think it’s going to be a good few more games here.”

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Tippett expects Keller will settle in more as he continues to play and be able to expand his impact on the game. It’s possible Keller gets that next opportunity back in Arizona Wednesday against a familiar foe.

The Coyotes host the Blues to complete a home-and-home series – a matchup that would seem to prolong the special feeling surrounding Keller’s debut if he ends up playing.

Regardless, what happened Monday in St. Louis with a sizable group of family members and friends in attendance was a memorable start.

“It’s really special to have them here,” Keller said. “Without family and friends, I wouldn’t be here right now. I can’t thank them enough.”

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Report

Key player

Coyotes winger Jaden Schwartz scored twice and chipped in an assist.

Key moment

Schwartz added an important insurance goal at 10:06 of the third period on a backhand shot over goalie Mike Smith to put the Blues up 3-1.

Key number

4 assists by Blues center Alexander Steen.

View from the press box

Chalk this loss up to another example of a team elevating its play and the Coyotes being unable to do the same, a popular theme on this 1-4 road trip. “Their game turned up a little bit, and we didn’t have the ability to turn that up,” coach Dave Tippett said. “We made some critical, just some coverage errors to give them some Grade-A chances. A good team like that, we don’t have that much room for error. Some of those mistakes we’re making end up in the back of our net, and then you’re chasing the game.”

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