PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) With the third pick of the NHL Draft, the Arizona Coyotes have taken Pittsburgh native Logan Cooley.
It's where he was predicted in a multitude of draft boards, but now things are official.
Cooley now becomes the highest drafted hockey player ever born in Pittsburgh and has the chance to be a bright prospect for the struggling Coyotes.
Not only is Cooley a native of West Mifflin, he was also part of the original members of Sidney Crosby's Learn to Play Program in 2008-09.
The program helped give kids equipment and the early skills it takes to play the game of hockey.
According to one of Crosby's former teammate, Tyler Kennedy, Crosby is ecstatic about the progress one of his former students has made.
"I was talking to Sid about Cooley," Kennedy told 93.7 the Fan's PM Team. "And the first thing Sid said is 'you know he went through that program?'"
Kennedy went on to mention that Crosby started the program so more kids in the area have the chance to be drafted to the NHL.
Cooley will now enter the Coyotes system and if he's good enough to make the roster, they will start the 2022-23 season in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
From Little Penguins to the #NHLDraft.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 7, 2022
Congratulations to Logan Cooley (just selected by the Coyotes with the third-overall pick) on being the highest-selected draft pick from Pittsburgh in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/9TDpBsmTqP
How perfect would it be for a Pittsburgh native who got his start in a program put on by Crosby play his first career NHL game in him home town against his former mentor?
