The season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to look towards the future. We do that every year with the Five For Howling 25 Under 25, ranking the Coyotes’ best players under 25. For this year’s rankings, I am joined by James Reeve (@JamesRJReeve), Mike Gould (@miketgould), Haynes Evans (@HaynesPEvans), and Matthew Jacobson (@TheAZSportsGuy).
Maveric Lamoureux
2022-23 League: QMJHL (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Games Played: 35
Goals: 5
Assists: 14
Playoff Games Played: 9
Playoff Goals: 2
Playoff Assists: 4
Highest Rating: 15
Lowest Rating: Not Rated
When the Arizona Coyotes drafted Maveric Lamoureux 29th overall at the NHL Entry Draft, fans learned something new about General Manager Bill Armstrong. After drafting the 5-foot-10 Logan Cooley and 6-foot-3 Conor Geekie, Bill Armstrong revealed his preference for size by drafting 6-foot-7 defenseman Maveric Lamoureux.
Many experts thought that GMBA may have reached in drafting Lamoureux, but few thought he wouldn’t make it as an NHL player. His offense isn’t great, but the defensive aspect of his game is clearly a strength.
Unfortunately, Lamoureux did not get to play a full season. He had to rehab a shoulder injury he sustained before the draft, which limited him to 35 games and saw him lose significant weight.
But in his short time, he showed real improvement. He served as an alternate captain while scoring more goals than he had in 54 games the previous season and averaging more points per game (.54 versus .44).
Lamoureux finally got to participate fully in a prospect game after being sidelined with his shoulder injury for his first. He looked good, and his defensive prowess was on full display for everyone to see.
When the Coyotes selected him, Lamoureux was probably the team’s best defensive prospect. Dmitri Simashev has probably overtaken him, but Lamoureux is still a vital piece of the Coyotes moving forward. He probably won’t be a top-pairing player, but he can still eat big minutes as a top-four player on the blue line.