Connect with us

Utah

Durzi signs 4-year extension with Utah

Published

on

Durzi signs 4-year extension with Utah


By Eric Stephens, Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun

Having an aggressive first offseason following its relocation from Arizona as the Coyotes, Utah Hockey Club continued solidifying its defense corps by re-signing Sean Durzi to a four-year contract on Sunday.

The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported Durzi’s extension coming in with an average value of $6 million. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the 25-year-old Durzi will make $7.1 million next season, $5.6 million in 2025-26, $4.8 million in 2026-27 and $6.5 million in 2027-28. A 10-team no-trade clause will be in effect in the third and fourth years.

“We’re thrilled to have Sean in Utah with the team for the next four years,” Utah HC general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Sean is a reliable two-way defenseman who can anchor the power-play and provide offense from the blue line. He’s a young, highly skilled defenseman with an incredibly bright future, and we look forward to having him as a core player for this organization.”

Advertisement

Durzi led all Coyotes defensemen with nine goals, 32 assists and 41 points. Traded by the Los Angeles Kings last summer for a second-round pick in this year’s draft, the 2018 second-round choice by the Toronto Maple Leafs flourished in a top-four, big-minute role with the Coyotes after playing further down in the Kings’ defense lineup.

“I think I have much more to reach,” Durzi told The Athletic last October. “That’s always been my way of going about it. You always feel as if you can give more and I think that’s really, really important for myself. My ceiling is — I don’t know yet. I believe there’s so much more I can get better at. I’ve already learned so much more this year than I even thought I could learn. And that’s always how it is, what you do day in, day out. Can I get better in these areas?

“And that’s my goal. My goal is to be the complete player. A guy you can depend on whether you need a goal with a minute-30 left or whether you need one off the board with a minute-30 left. A guy who’s going to be able to fight for his teammates and put his heart on the line for the team every single night.”

Advertisement

Utah has been active at the start of Ryan Smith’s ownership of the club. Without any of its defensemen signed following the 2023-24 season, Utah and its loads of salary-cap space have reshaped the blue line by trading for Mikhail Sergachev (with J.J. Moser heading to Tampa Bay) and John Marino while bringing back Michael Kesselring and Juuso Välimäki on new contracts.

In re-signing Durzi to a major deal, Utah could enter next season with its new No. 1 defenseman in Sergachev and the right-shot Durzi as his likely partner on the top pair. Utah, which has been making a splash under Smith, still has what CapFriendly estimates is another $22 million available under the cap as free agency begins Monday.

GO DEEPER

Is Utah Hockey Club playoff-bound after adding Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino?

(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Utah

2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah

Published

on

2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah


Utah’s football program, led by coach Kyle Whittingham, continues its impressive recruitment streak with the commitment of Shelton “Manny” Fuller, a three-star safety from El Paso, Texas. Fuller, the 11th commitment to wrap up June, and the 13th for the 2025 class, which adds significant value to the team’s defensive lineup.

Fuller, who visited Salt Lake City earlier this month, had also considered Houston, BYU, and Oregon State before deciding on Utah. He was Initially planning to commit in August, but announced his decision early via Instagram.

Fuller was ranked as the No. 44 athlete in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. At 6-feet and 170 pounds, he’s known for his versatility and physicality on the field. Without question his combination of strong ball skills with an aggressive playing style, particularly excelling in run defense. As he continues to develop physically, his tackling power is expected to improve, enhancing his already notable defensive capabilities.

Utah hits three of the biggest lists for EA Sports College Football 25

Advertisement

Fuller’s commitment marks the ninth defensive player for Utah in 2025, joining a robust group of recruits including quarterback Wyatt Becker, tight end Drew Clemens, and several defensive standouts like Nela Tupou and Max Fonoimoana. With this strong early recruitment drive, Utah is building significant momentum and positioning itself for a successful future.



Source link

Continue Reading

Utah

Utah family mourns loss of son after construction accident

Published

on

Utah family mourns loss of son after construction accident


SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah family is mourning the death of their son after a fall on Friday. The 14-year-old was working on a job site with his stepdad when he fell through a skylight.

Keenan Conte’s family says he loved music and hanging out with family and cousins. They say they are going to miss his big personality every day.

“We have four kids and they’re all best friends,” says Bryant Coburn, Keenan’s stepdad.

When Bryant and Keenan’s mom, Rachelle Coburn realized their son would not survive his injuries, they faced a tough decision on whether to donate his organs.

Advertisement

“Anytime he could help someone he was helping them,” Rachelle Coburn said, which is ultimately why they made the quick decision on organ donation. in “In order to be able to salvage organs it took our time with him from hours to minutes but that’s what Keenan would want.”

They say Keenan was a homebody who loved music.

Rachelle Coburn says she always knew her son was special, but now she knows others thought so too.

“In his passing, I realized it’s not just me, his mom being biased,” Rachelle Coburn said. “Everyone that has reached out has said how kind and caring he was, like just the best friend.”

There is a *GoFundMe set up to help the family.

Advertisement

*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.



Source link

Continue Reading

Utah

Utah Hockey Club's 1st development camp 'special' for prospects | NHL.com

Published

on

Utah Hockey Club's 1st development camp 'special' for prospects | NHL.com


PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah Hockey Club opened the first development camp in team history on Monday, marking the first time any skater took the ice with the Utah logo.

“I knew it was going to be fun, I knew it was going to be special,” said forward Tanner Ludtke, who was selected in the third round (No. 81) of the 2023 NHL Draft. “Just getting here and seeing Utah for the first time and being here is just better than I could ever imagine.”

Among the 32 players taking part in this week’s camp are all 11 picks from last week’s 2024 NHL Draft, including first-round selections Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin.

Iginla, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, was the first pick in Utah history, going at No. 6. The forward scored 47 goals in 64 games for Kelowna in the Western Hockey League during the 2023-24 season. He wore No. 12, the number his dad wore for most of his NHL career.

Advertisement

“The guys are good,” said Iginla. “We got a lot of big boys out there. It looks good, and it’ll be fun to keep seeing the guys over the week.”

Beaudoin was Utah’s second pick in the first round at No. 24. The forward had 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists) for Barrie in the Ontario Hockey League.

“There’s so many resources out there, like skating coaches, skills coaches, all the staff,” said Beaudoin. “It was amazing to talk to them and get to know everybody and be on the ice.”

The camp will end with a scrimmage in Salt Lake City on Friday.

“I was a little nervous going in, I think everyone was with their first camp,” said defenseman Will Skahan, who was selected in the second round (No. 65). “I think as you went along in practice you got used to it, you got comfortable, and you became more confident. It’s just an honor to be here.”

Advertisement

The more experienced prospects in camp are looking to continue their development in Utah’s organization.

“I want to take another step,” said Ludtke, who played for the University of Nebraska-Omaha last season. “I want to help the young guys and be there for them when they need advice or whatever it is. At the same time, I want to be a leader on the ice, make plays, contribute, and kind of lead the way a little bit.”

Lee Stempniak, Utah’s director of player development, said: “It’s the most talented group we’ve had in my four or five years with the organization. We have guys that are good kids, they work hard, they want to be coached, and we have the resources to give them a great week to set them up for success.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending