Howlin' Hockey
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

Niklas Hjalmarsson (Chicago 2010, 2013, 2015)

Arizona Coyotes
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 20: Connor Brown #28 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles with the puck with Niklas Hjalmarsson #4 of the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 20, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Niklas Hjalmarsson is a defenseman any coach would love to have. He has done it all in his NHL career, winning 3 Stanley Cups and playing in 128 playoff games over the course of his career. Hjalmarsson has played in big games, like the 2013 game 7 against Detroit where he almost won the series for Chicago.

It is always good to have a Stanley Cup winner in your locker room, but not for the ring they have in their house at home. Stanley Cup winners bring experience and different moments in history that can help spark hope in the locker room.

Hjalmarsson has won a series after being down 3-1 in the series. Hjalmarsson has faced adversity after thinking he scored a big goal, to then need to go out and keep playing, not glooming on the past. Hjalmarsson has made it all the way to a game 7 in the conference finals only to lose and end the year without the Stanley Cup.

Bringing experiences to the locker room helps showcase what is possible in the NHL, and the Coyotes are better off for it.

Home/Coyotes News