After a season where he frequently packed his bags, forward Dylan Guenther expects to stay in one place in 2023-24: in the Arizona Coyotes locker room.
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Ninth overall pick in the 2021 draft, the 20-year-old hockey player has made two stints with the big club, in addition to his participation in the Junior World Championship with the Canadian team and an end to the campaign with the Seattle Thunderbirds, in the Western League. The author of the decisive goal in the final of the World Juniors does not really want to return to the lower level and intends to remain in the Bettman circuit for good.
“I really want to stay here,” he told NHL.com on the sidelines of the Coyotes’ recent development camp. I think playing in various leagues and situations, with multiple teammates and against multiple good rivals was huge. It was different, but it’s good to be busy.”
“It was beneficial for me to experience certain transitions and to be plunged into discomfort by having the possibility of facing adversity. I will be ready to master the rest, he continued. National League athletes are smart. Everyone talks about physicality and speed, important aspects that I have to work on and improve. However, there is also the mental facet and the importance of being in good shape every day to play.
Tourigny will have an eye on it
As a teacher, the hockey student will still be able to benefit from the advice of head coach André Tourigny in the desert. He believes that his protege’s work habits will lead him to success.
“Our expectations of Dylan are high,” admitted the pilot. He will be a leader for this team and for our younger generation. We believe it already has our DNA. We want him to be an example for the other guys by the way he behaves in the gym, in the dining room, in the treatment room, at club meetings and on the ice.
Guenther had 15 points in 33 games last season.