The Arizona Coyotes selected American forward Logan Cooley with the third overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on Thursday.
The 18-year-old center is the No. 2 overall North American draft prospect on NHL.com only behind center Shane Wright from Canada, who went No. 4 to the Seattle Kraken.
“They were a team I talked to a lot, especially at the combine,” Cooley told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo after getting picked. “I had a chance to go to dinner with them. So fired up to be a part of the organization.”
He said he had no idea which team would take him until he heard his name called.
Humbled by the opportunity. Lets get to work! #Yotes #NHLDraft22 https://t.co/EUQDukEK3s
— Logan Cooley (@LoganCooley20) July 7, 2022
Playing for the U.S. National Team Developmental Program U-18 squad this past season, Cooley tallied 75 points in 51 games.
The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Cooley is known for his speed and transition game, making him one of the most sought-after offensive prospects in the draft. He likened his game to Patrick Kane, he told ESPN in a feature story published a week before the draft.
“Him being the same height as me, I watched how he used his skill to maneuver around bigger guys,” Cooley told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. “How good his hockey IQ is. Such a fun player to watch. I definitely took stuff from him and used it in my game.”
The Pennsylvania native is committed to play his collegiate hockey at Minnesota, one of the top programs in the country that reached the Frozen Four in 2022.
“I want to play in the NHL the fastest way possible,” Cooley said. “My plan is to play one year and then make the jump to the NHL.”
He is the moment.
Welcome to the Pack, Logan Cooley! #NHLDraft2022 pic.twitter.com/cySvYL9vi8
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 7, 2022
Cooley was the first pick of a loaded Coyotes’ draft class.
Arizona also took center Conor Geekie with the No. 11 pick and defenseman Maveric Lamoureux with the No. 29 selection.
The Montreal Canadiens used the No. 1 overall pick on winger Juraj Slafkovsky, the consensus top European prospect in the draft, and the New Jersey Devils took defenseman Simon Nemec second.