Coyotes add 20-year-old pick on entry-level deal
The NHL trade deadline approaches, April 12, and the Coyotes (19-15-5) appear less likely to make a deal with their winning ways and current hold on fourth place and a final playoff spot in the West Division. But the Coyotes did sign a player Wednesday.
The organization announced the signing of 20-year-old defenseman Ty Emberson to a three-year entry-level contract beginning this season. Emberson will report to the AHL Tucson Roadrunners.
“We are very pleased to sign Ty to an entry-level contract,” Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong said in a statement from the club. “Ty is a good twoway defenseman who can play in all situations. He is another good prospect for us, and we look forward to monitoring his development.”
Emberson, a third-round pick of the Coyotes in 2018, joins defenseman Vladislav Provolnev of Russia, who was signed to a one-year contract last month, as players the team has signed during the season.
Emberson registered 13 points with six penalty minutes in 31 college games with Wisconsin this season. He was named team captain at the beginning of the 2020-21 season and finished the year on the Big Ten All-tourney team.
The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Emberson recorded nine goals and 25 assists and 69 penalty minutes in 101 career games with the Badgers. He has also played for the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams and in the Under-20 IIHF World Junior Championship in Czech Republic.
Injury update
Forward Tyler Pitlick is close to rejoining the team from injured reserve. Pitlick, who has been out two weeks with a lower body injury, is close to practicing and could be in the lineup in time for Friday’s or Sunday’s games, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said.
Goalies Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper (lower body) and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body injury) will need another week, Tocchet said.