Vladislav Kolyachonok hopes to build off first NHL stint in return to Coyotes
Vladislav Kolyachonok is back with the Coyotes after spending four games in the NHL earlier this season, and this time, he might have a better chance to stay around a while longer.
When the Coyotes traded Ilya Lyubushkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs last weekend, it opened up a roster spot for a defenseman. Kolyachonok got the callup from AHL Tucson on Monday, and practiced with the Coyotes on Tuesday.
"Of course it was a good experience, because we won a couple of games and I always try to bring energy to the team," Kolyachonok said of his first stint. "Play simple from the start, try to adjust to the system. I was really excited to join the team at that time."
The 20-year-old from Belarus has two goals and 12 assists with the Roadrunners in his first season in the organization. Kolyachonok was obtained in the trade that brought defenseman Anton Stralman from the Florida Panthers over the past offseason.
"You're always working as hard as possible to be ready for this chance," Kolyachonok said. "Trying to give 100 percent on the ice, off the ice."
A second-round pick by the Panthers in 2019, the trade meant more opportunity for Kolyachonok. He said he was excited to join an organization in the Coyotes that wants to see him play, and he is more motivated to reach team goals because of the club's high interest in him.
Kolyachonok credited the coaching he received in Tucson for getting him ready for the NHL again, and said he's enjoyed playing with his teammates.
"I feel like nowadays, part of being a defenseman is being a two-way defenseman. Always joining the rush, always helping the offense," he said. "I'm just trying to do the right things and use my hockey IQ to help in the (defensive) zone and (offensive) zone."
Coyotes head coach André Tourigny said Kolyachonok is a strong skater who can close on opponents quickly.
"He does a lot of things that can help our team," Tourigny said. "He's a good prospect, played really well in Tucson, so we're excited to have him and work with him a little bit and see his progression."
Ice chips
— Newly acquired F Nick Ritchie, who arrived in the trade with the Maple Leafs, is still working through immigration paperwork and is expected to officially join the team soon. The Coyotes are hopeful Ritchie can be cleared to play by Wednesday, and Tourigny said there is a chance Ritchie can play as soon as the game that night against the Los Angeles Kings, pending clearance from the federal government.
— The Coyotes announced on Tuesday that F Andrew Ladd, an assistant captain, will be out four to six weeks with a lower body injury he suffered early in Sunday's win over the Dallas Stars. That timeline would have Ladd, who has six goals and three assists in 42 games this season, back before the end of the regular season. But he will be missed, Tourigny said.
"He's a huge leader. He's a guy that has experience, he's vocal with the boys in the room," Tourigny said. "He's been around, and he was playing good hockey as well. It's too bad, but I know he wants to be back and I'm pretty sure he will do everything he can to be back as quickly as possible."
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Coyotes add 20-year-old defenseman in callup from AHL Tucson
