Arizona Coyotes defenseman Victor Söderström is set to make his season debut tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes. Söderström was drafted by the Coyotes with the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, but it’s been an up and down road for the young defenseman. Through the past three seasons, Söderström has seen time with both the Coyotes and Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL, but now he will have another opportunity to prove himself at the NHL level. 240127_Tourigny_MorningSkate “Last year he had a good time with us,” coach André Tourigny said. “It was a little bit tougher during training camp this year, but everything we heard about what Potvin said, how he played out there, we really like his progression, we really like him. It’s exciting, I’m looking forward to seeing how much he has progressed and what he can bring.” As Tourigny said, Söderström has had a real solid season with the Roadrunners. In 38 games, he’s tallied eight goals, 13 assists and 21 points. Söderström spent 30 games with the Coyotes last season which Tourigny feels will ultimately help him leading into tonight’s game. “He has been with us for 30 games last year and the year before as well, so he is used to our language, our system, our structure, the boys in the room,” Tourigny said. “He is not an outsider, so I’m not worried about that part.” It may be a one-game opportunity, but Söderström is being thrown in against the Hurricanes, one of the best teams the NHL has to offer. Söderström has the chance to show the progression that he has made through this season and prove that he does indeed belong with the Coyotes. Arizona will play Carolina tonight at 5 PM MT in what will be their final game before going on a break until February 8.
