It seems the Arizona Coyotes have been living under a rock.
In a statement released Wednesday, the NHL team informed the public they’ve executed a letter of intent to purchase land for a potential new arena, and in an effort to get their fans excited about the franchise’s future, they also hyped up their incoming center, Logan Cooley, to an exaggerated extent.
“Our incredibly loyal and passionate fan base is extremely excited about our team and the incredible additions we’ve made this summer including Matt Dumba, Jason Zucker, Alex Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Troy Stecher, Sean Durzi and the top prospect in the world, Logan Cooley,” the statement read.
Cooley, who signed his three-year, entry level contract with the club last month, is no doubt a game-changing talent, but in the year of Connor Bedard, the Coyotes’ claim feels a bit of a stretch.
Bedard, 18, headlined the 2023 NHL Draft as the No. 1 overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks and has already been tabbed not only as the new face of the organization but also the future of the league.
The center absolutely tore it up in the Canadian Hockey League the past three seasons with the Regina Pats, finishing the 2022-23 campaign with 143 points (71 goals and 72 assists) in only 57 games.
Bedard was the first player in CHL history to win the Player of the Year, Top Draft Prospect and Top Scorer awards all in the same season.
The kid has been likened to Sidney Crosby and hasn’t even hit NHL ice yet.
Cooley, 19, selected third overall by Arizona in the 2022 NHL Draft, is no throwaway, but it’s a tough comparison to Bedard.
The center had a productive freshman season at the University of Minnesota and was a big part of the squad’s run to the Frozen Four, where the Gophers ultimately lost in heartbreaking fashion to Quinnipiac in overtime of the national championship.
The Pittsburgh, Pa. native was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and led the Gophers with 60 points (22 goals and 38 assists) through 39 games.
He’ll add much needed depth and raw talent down the middle to a Coyotes team that has struggled to find success for the better part of a decade.
So yes, a great prospect — and it can be left right there.
