Arizona Coyotes contestant Logan Cooley will return to the NCAA ranks next season after his collegiate squad, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, confirmed his return on Friday.
The 19-year-old was drafted third overall in the 2022 National Hockey League draft and was a freshman-year finalist for the Hobey-Baker Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding skater on the circuit. He had 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points in 39 games. His performances allowed his team to participate in the national finals, where it lost to the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
Also read: Coyotes are moving: Is Texas a good hockey market?
Also read: “Lane Hutson is a perfect match for the Canadians”
While the future of the Coyotes remains unclear due to popular rejection of their project to build an arena in Tempe, Cooley’s future looks brighter. He could notably play the next World Junior Hockey Championships under the American colors.