Logan Cooley has already pulled off a highlight reel worthy goal at Mullett Arena before he’s even inked an NHL contract.
Cooley stunned with the Michigan, a lacrosse-style goal, against Arizona State when Minnesota came through Tempe back in late November.
It was a window into the future that the Coyotes are planning around the center since he was drafted third overall in 2022.
On top of displaying elite skill, Cooley amassed 60 points (22 goals and 38 assists) in 39 games as a freshman with the Golden Gophers and nearly secured the Hobey Baker, the top honor in NCAA hockey.
“(Head coach) Bob Motzko did a heck of a job growing my game and the team we had was a successful group,” Cooley said. “Learning from guys like (Matthew) Knies, (Brock) Faber, (Jackson) LaCombe. It was a fun group to be around and pushed me every day.”
Now in his second development camp, Cooley still offers intrigue for the Coyotes center pipeline bursting with names. His first NCAA season was a major success, but it wasn’t enough for him to consider making the jump to the next level just yet.
Cooley announced in May that he’d return to Minnesota for another season, not too long after the proposal for the Tempe arena was voted down. The decision to remain at Minnesota was tough for Cooley, but he isn’t at the point where he feels ready for the NHL.
“My plan is to go back to college right now. Things could change, but right now, I’m focusing on going back and hopefully helping that team win a national championship,” Cooley said.
For a top prospect like Cooley, development camp can be a lower pressure environment where he can hone in on little details with the Coyotes staff. His focus at development camp involves growing a 200-foot game and becoming a two-way center.
“I don’t put a time. Everyone’s different and has their different ways of making it to the NHL,” Cooley said. “I want to play as quickly as possible and I want to be NHL ready and come in and be an impactful player. I know it’s a hard league and I want to be as prepared as I can to make that next step.”
Josh Doan reflects his dad’s decision to join the Maple Leafs
It wasn’t easy for the Doan family when Shane took a job with the Toronto Maple Leafs as the special advisor to the general manager, but his son, Josh, has managed to make a name for himself with the Coyotes.
“It’s been special going to the rink and spending time with (my dad), but there’s still a lot of people around here who were around when I was a kid,” Doan said. “It kind of feels like home still. Having him around or not around doesn’t change things at the rink.”
The former second round pick in 2021 became the first ASU player to sign with the Coyotes and quickly joined the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League. Through 14 games, Doan recorded six points (3 goals, 3 assists).
“This organization means everything to the family and it was obviously an emotional thing for (my dad) in making that decision,” Doan said. “It’s something that he felt was going to work out best for him down the road. He’s still a Coyote to the roots and he always will be. This is his team and he said it was a pretty emotional day at the draft wearing other colors and having to look at the Coyotes table.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Coyotes prospects hone skills at team developmental camp
