Player Spotlight: Keith Yandle

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle has worked hard to improve and stay in the NHL, and his dedication is paying off. The 23-year-old Massachusetts native learned how to play hockey from his father who was a high school hockey coach for 30 years. The rink wasn't the only place Yandle spent his time, he also played basketball, football,
baseball and lacrosse, becoming a well-rounded athlete.

After his freshman year of high school in Milton, Mass. He enrolled in the Cushing Academy and focused more on Hockey. After one season with Cushing, Yandle was the Coyotes fourth-round pick of the NHL Entry Draft in 2005. He spent the following season playing for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Juniors. During that time Yandle scored 25 goals and 59 assists and had a plus-minus rating of 50 in 66 games. He was also named the Canadian Major Junior Defenseman of the Year.

Yandle made his NHL debut with the Coyotes in Oct. 2006. He played seven games that season and was re-assigned to the San-Antonio Romage of the American Hockey League. He became the leading defenseman with
33 points and 27 assists.

The Coyotes turned to Yandle early in the season due to injuries to Kurt Sauer, Ed Jovanovski and Zbynek Michalek. His hard work and dedication may give him the big minutes on a consistent basis.

Yandle works out year-round to stay in shape for the 82-game NHL season. This season has scored six goals and 17 assists in 50 games.

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By: Angie Wiatrowski
ProHockey-Fans.com Staff Writer