ST. LOUIS (AP) — Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller wanted to play in his hometown two days after his father, Bryan, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Thanksgiving Day.

Before Saturday night’s game, the Blues displayed a photo of Keller and his father, who was 64, on the scoreboard and held a moment of silence.

The Mammoth lost 1-0 to the Blues.

Keller spoke after the game for the first time since his father’s death.

“For me and my family, a big thanks to the Blues for everything they did tonight,” an emotional Keller said. “They didn’t have to do that.”

Keller also played Friday in Dallas, but did not record a point in the 4-3 loss to the Stars.

The Stars honored him by naming him as the first star.

“That’s what is unbelievable about hockey,” Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. “Th

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