Arizona Coyotes Recall Goalie Justin Peters From Tucson

Jan 17, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Justin Peters (35) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Justin Peters (35) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes have recalled goaltender Justin Peters on an emergency basis as they await news of the extent of Mike Smith’s injury.

Mike Smith‘s status is still up in the air forcing the Arizona Coyotes to recall Justin Peters from the AHL.

Peters was brought in to camp to be the start in Tucson for the Coyotes relocated AHL affiliate, but it appears he may see some time in net in the NHL.

The 30-year-old netminder has played 80 games in the NHL previously.

Here’s the Coyotes press release on the recalling Peters:

Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka announced today that the Coyotes have recalled goaltender Justin Peters (on emergency basis) from the Tucson Roadrunners, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate (AHL).The 30-year-old Peters has appeared in one game with the Roadrunners this season. The Blyth, ON native registered a 3.04 goals against average (GAA), an .896 save percentage (SV%) and a 17-8-7 record in 37 games with Hershey (AHL) last season. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Peters has posted a 3.08 GAA and a .901 SV% in 80 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes. Peters was originally drafted by the Hurricanes in the second round (38th overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft.The Coyotes also announced that forward Jamie McGinn has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 5.

The Tucson Roadrunners are recalling Arizona Coyotes’ third round draft pick Adin Hill from the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL to fill in for Peters.

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Hill was sent down by Tucson in order to secure regular playing time to continue his development.

Adin had an impressive training camp in Glendale and fans hope that he might be the goalie of the future for Arizona.

Peters role with the Coyotes will hopefully be minimal.

He has posted just a .901 save percentage across parts of six seasons in the NHL.

If Mike Smith’s injury is long term, it may benefit the team to seek a trade for a more established backup or even a team with two starters than to rely on Peters as the second part of the tandem.

Much of the weight of that decision will rest up on the performance of Louis Domingue.

Last season, Domingue showed he was capable of filling in long term for Mike Smith. Eventually, however, he wore down under the work load due to the lack of a competent backup.

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The Coyotes are in that same position again on nights Domingue can’t go.

How they handle that situation moving forward will be important to the success of their season.