COYOTES REPORTEDLY ASSIGN 2021 FIRST-ROUND PICK TO WHL

According to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports, the Arizona Coyotes are assigning 2021 first-round pick Dylan Guenther to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

Guenther, 19, has appeared in 33 games for the Coyotes this season, tallying 15 points (six goals, nine assists), ten penalty minutes and is a minus-seven. Morgan says that this Friday's game against Chicago would have been Guenther's 39th on the active roster, and being on the roster for one more after that would make him a year closer to unrestricted free agency.

The Edmonton native had his junior rights traded from the Oil Kings to the Seattle Thunderbirds in early January before the deadline. Guenther now joins a dangerous Seattle team that is a legit threat to win not only the WHL title, but the 2023 Memorial Cup. They currently sit second in the WHL's U.S. Division with 35 wins in 46 games.

Among those on Seattle's roster are Brad Lambert, Kevin Korchinski, Reid Schaefer, Luke Prokop, Nolan Allan, Thomas Milic, Colton Dach, as well as Jarome Iginla's son, Tij.


It's unclear when Guenther will make his Thunderbirds debut, but their next game, after Sunday night, is set for Friday against the Red Deer Rebels.

Thread (1/2): The Coyotes are sending F Dylan Guenther back to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.

Friday's game in Chicago would have been his 39th on the active roster; 1 more game means accruing a year toward UFA status.

I wrote about it last week:https://t.co/PLyBSPNgJp— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) February 5, 2023