Coyotes ink Cooley to 3-year, entry-level contract
Logan Cooley is turning pro after all.
The Arizona Coyotes signed the 2022 third overall pick to a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday.
His pact carries a cap hit of $950,000 with an additional $3.5 million available in performance bonuses, thus bringing up the average annual value to $4.45 million, per CapFriendly.
Cooley originally intended to return to Minnesota next season. He acknowledged in late May that the Coyotes' failed bid to build a new arena in Tempe factored into his initial decision to prolong his college career, per PHNX Sports' Craig Morgan.
The 19-year-old addressed his change of heart shortly after his signing was announced.
"When I posted about coming back to school a few months ago, I was fully planning to return for my sophomore season," Cooley wrote in an Instagram story shared by Minnesota. "Over the past months, I have realized that deep down, I feel ready for the challenge of playing at the highest level in the world and I want to fulfill my lifelong dream of being an NHL player.
"The hardest part of coming to this decision was feeling like I was letting people down, but I have to be true to myself and do what's in my heart."
Cooley led Minnesota in 2022-23 with 22 goals - including six game-winners - and 60 points in 39 contests during his freshman campaign. Cooley was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which honors the top player in men's college hockey.
"We are thrilled to sign Logan to an NHL contract," Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said. "Logan is an incredibly skilled player who had an excellent season with the Golden Gophers last year. He has established himself as one of the top prospects in the world.
"He is a very important player for us, and he has an extremely bright future ahead. We look forward to watching him play for the Coyotes for many years to come."
The Golden Gophers' 2022-23 season ended in an upset after they dropped the championship game to Quinnipiac in overtime.
Cooley also dazzled at the 2023 World Junior Championship, leading Team USA with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in seven games while capturing a bronze medal.
The Pennsylvania native is a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program.