Has Coyotes top prospect had change of heart?

Logan Cooley after being selected as the number three overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre. Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Has Coyotes top prospect had a change of heart?

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 7/26/23

After the Arizona Coyotes’ proposed stadium in Tempe was shot down by voters, the organization’s top prospect, Logan Cooley, decided it was in his best interest to return to the University of Minnesota for the 2023 season.

However, it appears Cooley, the No. 6 overall prospect in the NHL according to The Athletic, is at least considering leaving school early and signing an entry-level contract with the Coyotes in the next few days, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Nothing done, as Craig reports here, but it is trending that way. Would be a surprise if Cooley does not sign with the Coyoyes over the next 24-48 hours https://t.co/B93z95vWnA
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 26, 2023

I’m hearing reports out of Minnesota that star prospect Logan Cooley is NOT returning to college. He is expected to sign his ELC later today. #Yotes
— Gabe Foley (@NHLFoley) July 26, 2023

Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reported on Wednesday that Cooley hasn’t decided yet one way or another, but he’s weighing his options as the Coyotes finish up their development camp this week.

“For right now, I’m on track for going back and helping Minnesota win a national championship and continuing to grow my game,” Cooley said. “But I’m still going to evaluate some things. I don’t want the media to go crazy thinking that I’m not going back to school, but there’s a little bit of thought to put into it.”

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Cooley scored 22 goals and 60 points in 39 games as a freshman at the University of Minnesota last season. He ranked second in the country in scoring, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award, given annually to the top player in college hockey, and he was an All-Big Ten first-team selection and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.

Cooley helped the Gophers go 29-10-1 last year, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament and making it to the Frozen Four before falling to eventual national champion Quinnipiac.

“There’s still some things I want to accomplish in college before I make the step to the NHL,” Cooley added. “…I’m sure some guys are ready after year one (year of college), but when I step into the league I don’t just want to be ready. I want to be an impactful player. I want to be as prepared as possible.”

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