Arizona Coyotes top prospect Logan Cooley will not be signing his entry-level contract this summer, as the University of Minnesota announced today that he’s returning to the school for his sophomore season.
After a standout rookie season in the Big 10 conference, finishing second in the entire NCAA in scoring behind 2023 draft prospect Adam Fantilli, many expected Cooley not only to sign with Arizona but play a prominent role there in 2023-24. Instead, the 2022 third-overall selection will try and build on those totals and shoot for a national championship with Minnesota, a feat they were only one goal away from achieving this season.
Cooley, a skilled and cerebral two-way center, will be a top-six pivot when he does opt to come to the NHL. It’s fair to speculate if the Coyotes’ lack of a concrete long-term solution to their arena issues played a role in Cooley deciding to push back his NHL debut by another year.
While there may be little left to achieve in his pre-NHL development, the NHL isn’t always everything for players, either. Cooley’s desire to win a national championship, as well as the lower-stakes environment of college hockey, are also likely factors in his choice.
Neither Cooley nor the Coyotes have commented on his decision publically.
I wonder if he ever signs with them
At least Cooley will know what state he’ll be in next season. ;)
The USA WJC team will be stacked this winter!
With all the speculation about free agents purportedly being wary of signing with Ottawa because they “don’t know who’s going to be signing their checks” — as if there’s ANY question that the checks are going to be signed by SOMEone, and will be just as sound — you’d think that with all the howling uncertainly about the Coyotes, players would be VERY wary of dealing with them if there are any other options.
I’ve never heard of any free agents being wary of signing with Ottawa because they “don’t know who’s going to be signing their cheques”. Where did you read that one ???
Multiple columnists here at PHR, for one.
I guess he figured if he’s going to play his home games in a college arena, might as well be in Minnesota
Not like we don’t have 6 division 1 hockey schools to do that with here in Minnesota lol!
If he is smart he will stay next year and become a free agent
Adam Fox 2.0?
did many really “expect” him to sign?
Fallout
College kids shouldn’t be able to become free agents like fox and many others did imo if he does go that route
I don’t blame him. He is likely hoping they sell and move the franchise before he ever has to get involved with them.
Great to see him coming back along with 5th year senior goalie Justen Close. He did say he loved playing in Minneapolis.
Also can’t really blame him for not wanting to turn pro right away in a state that doesn’t want to see him play.
We are more than happy to keep watching him develop and play here in Minnesota.
Ski-U-Mah!
pride On Ice
The league is going to have to step in and cement the Arizona situation. Either move the team or get different ownership that can competently run a franchise
The Coyotes situation should have been handled years ago but in fact it was mishandled numerous times by Gary Bettman and he has never taken responsibility for it, Bettmans ego is out of control.