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).
Conor Geekie
2022-23 League: WHL (Winnipeg Ice)
Games Played: 66
Goals: 35
Assists: 42
Playoffs Games Played: 19
Playoffs Goals: 6
Playoffs Assists: 11
Highest Rating: 9
The Arizona Coyotes made three first-round selections at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. After selecting Logan Cooley and trading up, the Coyotes selected forward Conor Geekie.
The Strathclair, Manitoba native was sent back to the WHL after being drafted, and he had another great season with the Winnipeg Ice. He hit the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career and scored a career-high 77 points.
The Ice and Geekie made it to the WHL Final, and Geekie looked solid in the post-season. He was almost a point-per-game player, but unfortunately, his team was knocked out by Dylan Guenther’s Seattle Thunderbirds.
Geekie looks better going into this year’s preseason, having gained seven pounds and worked on his skating. He looked good on a line with Josh Doan in the Rookie Faceoff tournament and finished with three goals and three assists.
Geekie is a dark horse candidate to make the Coyotes’ opening night roster. He has definitely improved, but it is unclear if he is good enough to be a full-time NHLer. Unfortunately, he cannot go to the AHL, which would probably be the best for his development, and he would have to go to the new Wenatchee Wild.
Geekie has improved since being drafted, and he seems like he isn’t that far away from turning pro. His ceiling is still unknown, but he does seem like he will be a reliable NHL forward very soon.