Page 28 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 136
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28 Issue #136 May 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com
Over the Boards - The Utah??? hard for him. goaltender, Michael Hrabel, is a
On their current NHL roster, top goaltending prospect for them
team has been sold and relocated as well.
By Brad Robertson to Salt Lake City, Utah. The buyer highly regarded forwards Logan
is current NBA Utah Jazz owner, Cooley and Josh Doan have There have been over 22,000
arrived. Cooley scored 20 goals as season ticket deposits for the
Ryan Smith, who had been sniffing
a nineteen-year-old rookie. They team for the upcoming season,
around indicating he wanted to
join a promising forward group so interest in Salt Lake City is
break into the NHL market.
led by 33 goal scorer, Clayton high. That is what the NHL was
This opportunity is fantastic for Keller. There was a balanced anticipating when they agreed
a new NHL owner as the Coyotes attack as forwards Nick Bjugstad to the purchase of the Coyotes
are a young dynamic team with (22), Lawson Crouse (23), Nick by Smith. Its a good transition
a ton of emerging talent on their Schmaltz (21), and Michael and the team can remain in the
roster, and prospects about ready Carlone (21), were all 20+ goal Central Division of the Western
to arrive and start making their scorers. Young winger, Matias Conference and not upset the
mark as well. The Coyotes finished Maccello, came out of nowhere balance that the league has within
the year with a 36-41-5 won lost to register 17 goals and 40
ell finally the NHL record. Led by General Manager, assists. They will be joined soon their divisions. Utah has supported
Whas vacated the desert Bill Armstrong, the team has been by top forward prospects Dylan minor league professional hockey
of Arizona. After countless in a rebuild and has acquired a Guenther, Finnish star Aku Raty, in the past. Here’s hoping that the
ownership groups and a few ton of draft pick capital over the Conor Geekie, and hulking 6’5” city is ready for the NHL.
arenas, including the most recent next several drafts. Coach Andre Danil But. NHL Commissioner, Gary
5000 seater they played out of on Tourigny has been a good leader Bettman, was very bullish on trying
the campus of Arizona State, the for this young team, and they play On the blue line, current to maintain an NHL presence
defencemen Sean Durzi, Jusso in Arizona. The Winnipeg Jets
Valimaki, and JJ Moser are all
steady back there. The team migrated there from Winnipeg
has some promising defence after the 1995-96 season. The
prospects. Victor Soderstrom Coyotes have been there since
is making his mark on their the 1996-97 season. A couple
AHL team and should be able to of current Toronto Maple Leafs
contribute on the big club next were born and raised in Arizona.
season. Former first round pick, They also came up through the
Dmitri Simoshev, is looking to minor hockey system there. One
try and crack the lineup next is current goal leader Auston
year as well. Don’t overlook the Matthews. Rookie Matthew Knies
hulking 6’7” Maveric Lamoureux also hails from Arizona. The
as well, although he may need latest owner of the Coyotes, Alex
more seasoning before making his Meruelo, has been assured that if
debut. he can come up with a plan to get
a new arena built in the greater
Goaltending on the Coyotes is
in good hands. Connor Ingram Phoenix area within five years,
then the NHL could reinstate a
took the reins as the number one franchise there. I guess we shall
guy and never relinquished them.
He recorded 6 shutouts this season see if that comes to fruition or not.
to go along with his 23 wins, Well, the NHL playoffs are
2.91 Goals Against Average, and currently in round 1. Enjoy playoff
.907 Save Percentage. Karel hockey everyone!!
Vejmelka is a capable back up. Coach Brad
University of Massachusetts
