The Arizona Coyotes think outside the box by signing defenseman Patrik Koch
The Arizona Coyotes signed defenseman Patrik Koch to a one-year entry-level contract on Monday.
The 26-year-old has played with HC Vitkovice in the Czech Extraliga over the last three seasons. This past year, Koch had three goals, nine assists and 12 points. During the playoffs, Koch contributed with two goals and two assists.
“We are very pleased to have Patrik join our organization,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said in a team release. “He is a competitive, defensive defenseman with good puck moving capability and was an integral contributor to the Slovak National Team’s defense for many years. We look forward to seeing him in training camp.”
Koch has a relationship with current Coyotes’ goalie Karel Vejmelka as the two were teammates in the Czech Extraliga for HC Kometa Brno from 2015-17.
The Slovakian born defenseman is expected to join the team come the start of training camp to compete for a roster spot.