West Mifflin's Logan Cooley signs with Arizona Coyotes

For the past few weeks, Logan Cooley has taken on something of an apprenticeship in the North Hills.

On a daily basis, the West Mifflin native has hit the ice with veteran NHL forwards Vince Trocheck and J.T. Miller, trying to pick their brains for details on what it takes to play at their level.

“Just little things on the ice,” Cooley said. “Little details of the game. Whether it’s your shot, different release points, little things like that. Protecting the puck. I’ve learned a lot. It’s been extremely helpful. It’s been a great summer so far.”

Cooley’s summer got quite a bit better Thursday when he opted to turn professional and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes, the team that drafted him third overall in 2022.

Per Cap Friendly, Cooley’s deal will have a salary cap hit of $950,000.

His decision to put pen to paper was a considerable about-face from his previous stance of remaining with the University of Minnesota for his sophomore campaign in 2023-24. As recently as May, Cooley, a left-handed center, proclaimed he was ready to remain in the NCAA ranks for at least another season.

Speaking with media via video conference Thursday, Cooley, 19, did not get into many specifics as far as why he changed his mind. But one thing is clear: He wants to be in the NHL.

“If you know any hockey player, it’s their goal to play in the NHL,” Cooley said. “Obviously, it was my dream. I want to play at the highest level I can. I want to be pushed every day. I want to play with the best. Honestly, I’m just super excited about the future of the Arizona Coyotes and the direction they’re going in.”

The Coyotes’ trajectory hasn’t been all that promising for quite a while now (if ever).

On the ice, the Coyotes have missed the postseason for 10 of the past 11 seasons (the lone exception being the pandemic-influenced 2020 playoff format that allowed an expanded field of teams).

Things might be worse off the ice as the Coyotes still don’t have a definitive plan (at least one that’s public) for where their permanent home arena will be. In May, Arizona voters roundly rejected a referendum that would have built a new facility in Tempe.

At the moment, they are playing home games in Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena, a venue that holds only 4,600 for NHL contests.

Additionally, in June, franchise icon Shane Doan left a business role the organization to accept a hockey operations position with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Getting Cooley under contract was a badly needed victory for the Coyotes in a myriad of ways.

“I don’t really pay attention to that stuff too much, honestly,” Cooley said. “I know what’s on the inside of what the coaching staff thinks and, obviously, the ownership, the players. I’m focused on what’s inside the Coyotes, the things that actually matter. The outside noise, it doesn’t really affect my decision of going to the Coyotes or anything like that.

“To help this team eventually get to a Stanley Cup (championship) is my goal. That’s everyone else’s goal who plays in the NHL: They want to win. It’s a business. I want to contribute in any way I can to help this team win a Stanley Cup (championship).”

Cooley was dominant during his lone season at Minnesota.

Appearing in 39 games, he was third in the nation in scoring with 60 points (22 goals, 38 assists) and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which recognizes the top overall men’s player at the NCAA level.

“It’s seriously the best place to play college hockey,” Cooley said. “The coaching staff did such an amazing job for me. My teammates, they pushed me every day. The fans, it was so unbelievable playing in front of them. Obviously, it wasn’t an easy call at all. I was kind of dreading it for a while now. Both parties handled it well. It wasn’t the easiest, but I’m happy with my decision right now.”

As for now, Cooley will continue his commute from the South Hills to the North Hills to work out with the likes of Trocheck (of Upper St. Clair) and Miller (Coraopolis), each of whom are part of a limited fraternity of Pittsburgh-area NHLers.

Cooley owns the distinction of being the all-time highest draft pick amongWestern Pennsylvania natives. But he realizes plenty of work is still required before he is an NHL player.

“It’s definitely going to be an adjustment,” Cooley said. “During the summer, I’ve been training with guys like J.T. Miller, Vince Trocheck. Just learning little things from them to help me adapt to the NHL. I’ve learned a lot. Obviously, it’s going to take some time. But I’m really looking forward to it.”

Another thing Cooley is looking forward to is Dec. 12.

If things go as planned, that’s when Cooley and the Coyotes will face the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.

Cooley is primarily focused on the immediate. But he admits his gaze has wandered to that date in the late fall.

“It’s kind of hard to not think about it,” Cooley said. “Especially because I drive by that rink going to practice every day. Obviously, it would be so special to me and my family. I would have a ton of family and friends there.

“I grew up going to those games watching Sidney Crosby. It would definitely be an honor. I’m really looking forward to that.”