Howlin' Hockey
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Finding the experience in the Arizona Coyotes locker room

By Jim Lynch

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) controls the puck during the NHL hockey game between the St. Louis Blues and the Arizona Coyotes on February 14, 2019 at Gila River Arena in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) controls the puck during the NHL hockey game between the St. Louis Blues and the Arizona Coyotes on February 14, 2019 at Gila River Arena in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Coyotes are one of the youngest NHL teams in the NHL. With a majority of the starting roster under the age of 25. With so many players that have developed within the organization sometimes that takes away from the experience on the ice.

Not every team is chasing a Stanley Cup every year. The Coyotes have not been to the playoffs since 2012, a good portion of the Coyotes roster was not even drafted in 2012.

However a core group of players have experience they can share to the younger players. The Coyotes have a combined 7 Stanley Cup championships in their locker room. 7 different experiences that can help lead the ‘Yotes to success this year.

Let’s take a look at the group of players in Arizona’s locker room that have done it all in the NHL.

Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh 2016, 2017)

Arizona Coyotes
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 10: Arizona Coyotes Goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a glove save on Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Phil Kessel (81) during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Arizona Coyotes on November 10, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins shutout the Coyotes 4-0. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Phil Kessel might be the stand out player in Arizona’s locker room. He has won the Stanley Cup twice in back to back season with the Penguins. Check out all 10 of his Stanley Cup playoff goals below.

It’s not like winning the Cups is the only thing Kessel has accomplished in the playoffs. He played in 15 playoff games with Boston at the age of 20 and 21. He understands what the young players in Arizona are going through in this stage of their career.

Kessel has also lead a team to the playoffs, being a leader in Toronto when the team made it to the playoffs in 2013. Kessel has probably the most experience as a forward in Arizona, on the defense the Coyotes have one player to look to.

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