Keller, Doan highlight Coyotes’ NHL quarter-century team

The best players from one of the NHL’s relocated franchises over the past 25 years have been revealed.

The league has begun rolling out its multi-phased celebration, honoring the best players for each of the 32 franchises, including the Arizona Coyotes, now known as the Utah Hockey Club.

The First Team comprises many familiar names that were impact players for the team in its later years in Glendale.

Shane Doan was the face of the franchise for many years, especially as the team transitioned out of Phoenix in the early 2000s. “Mr. Coyote” was the last player from the original Winnipeg Jets to play for the franchise and is the all-time franchise leader in games (1,254), goals (369), assists (521) and points (890).

Clayton Keller was one of the most exciting players on the team over the past few years and is doing his part in leading the team as it builds a foundation in Salt Lake City. Radim Vrbata had three stints with the Yotes and was a notable offensive presence.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson was one of the team’s best defensemen for over a decade, making him one of the more underrated blueliners in the league. One of the league’s notable ironmen, Keith Yandle, was a reliable player on the back end and had the ability to contribute offensively as well.

Mike Smith is considered the best goaltender in franchise history, as his play was key in getting the Coyotes to the Western Conference Final in 2012.

The Second Team has some older names, including some fan favorites.

If this were an all-decade team focused on the ’90s, Jeremy Roenick would easily be on the First Team. However, since he joined the Philadelphia Flyers in 2001, the recently-inducted Hall of Famer’s time with the team in this century was limited. Nick Schmaltz is another active player who, like Keller, gave people some reason to watch Arizona.

Martin Hanzal is second in games played with the Coyotes this century (608) and was another key player during the 2012 playoffs.

Zbynek Michalek and Teppo Numminen both logged many miles with the franchise. Michalek had three separate stints with the team from 2005 to 2010, while Numminen came to Phoenix with the franchise after it left Winnipeg in 1996.

The eccentric Ilya Brzygalov is the franchise leader in wins (130) and established himself as one of the top netminders before heading to Philadelphia.