Jakob Chychrun Signs Entry Level Contract with Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes announced on Saturday that they have signed Jakob Chychrun to his entry-level contract. 

The number 16 pick in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft, was ranked fourth on NHL Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters. The Coyotes acquired the draft pick, for Chychrun, along with the rights to Pavel Datsyuk, from the Detroit Red Wings in the draft day swap for the 20^th and 53^rd picks. 

Chychrun, 18, said, “It is an honor to sign with the Coyotes. I am the first to understand that there is still a lot of work ahead of me, but this is an absolute dream come true to sign my first NHL contract.”

He spent the past two seasons with the Sarnia Sting, of the Ontario Hockey League, where he scored 27 goals and 58 assists in 104 games. After 2014-2015 season, he was an OHL All-Rookie, while being named an OHL, second-team All-Star in 2015-2016. 

Last season his 11 goals and 38 assists, with 51 penalty minutes in 62 games, helped the six foot two, 210-pound defenseman, lead the Sting blue liners. He was also ranked as the fourth best OHL defenseman. 

Last season he played in the CHL Top Prospects game as well. At the under-18 World Junior Championship, he scored one goal and three assists in seven games, for Team Canada. 

Coyotes general manager, John Chayka said, “We are very pleased to sign Jakob to an entry-level contract. Jakob is a highly skilled player with an all-around game. He has a great work ethic and is very determined. We look forward to watching him to continue to develop this season.”  

The Boca Raton, Florida native, is the son of former NHLer Jeff Chychrun, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers. He is also nephew of Luke Richardson, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Oilers and Flyers.