Geekie Excited to Pursue NHL Career After Signing ELC with Coyotes

Conor Geekie could get used to calling Arizona home, sweet home.
Geekie, who was drafted 11th overall just a few weeks ago, signed a three-year entry-level contract on Monday following the conclusion of rookie development camp. The 18-year-old shined with the WHL's Winnipeg ICE last season, notching 70 points in 63 games. He chipped in an additional 11 in 15 playoff games.

Though he suffered an injury early last week in camp, he was still able to enjoy some quality time alongside his fellow rookies.
"You always take away learning from the guys who have been there before, their routine, and how they go about their business," Geekie said. "You learn a lot. It's kind of a shockwave with everything going on, but it was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot of new things."
And that Arizona heat? He couldn't be enjoying The Valley any more than he already is. While in Montreal on the day of the draft - shortly after the Coyotes selected him in the first round - Geekie remarked how the weather was "definitely better weather than Winnipeg."
Even though that was before he experienced temperatures that soared as high as 115 degrees last week, he doubled down on his assessment after
signing his ELC
.

"I love it, I'm pumped. I love going outside," he said with a smile. "I even walked to the mall the other day. I know some people think that's crazy, but it was a lot of fun, and I'm enjoying myself here."
Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said signing an entry-level contract, while routine, is still a confidence builder for prospects because it illustrates the club's investment in their future. While camp itself can be overwhelming as players learn what it takes to become an NHL-caliber player, the initial contract also offers the stability needed to focus on the things needed to move to the next level.
For Geekie, signing on the dotted line was the realization of a lifelong goal.
"Let me tell you, it's something you always dream of as a kid," he said. "I've had super supportive family, super supportive everyone with lots of congratulations, so I guess it's just nice to get it out of the way, right?
"It's nice to get started, and you feel like you're moving the next step forward."
Those next steps may come a bit easier than expected considering how he's handled several curveballs that have already been thrown his way.

For starters, Geekie's introductory press conference was just moments after the dreaded "bike test" as camp kicked off. Though winded from the test, he still fielded questions with enthusiasm, excited to be wearing a Kachina jersey alongside fellow first-round selections Logan Cooley and Maveric Lamoureux.
He sustained his injury later that day, and though it took him off the ice for the rest of camp, he remained engaged with both the coaches and his teammates throughout the week.
That impressed Armstrong.
"It's always a special experience when you come to your first development camp because you're kind of taking it all in. It's a lot," he said. "I thought he did a great job of taking it all in from the eating, the training, to all the little things that they learn here at development camp."
Because of how engaged he was, Geekie said he still learned a lot at camp, and he's continued to do upper-body and cardio exercises while recovering. He only got to spend about 45 minutes on the ice with his fellow prospects last week, but he didn't let that sour his experience.

Quite the opposite, in fact, as he enjoyed just how involved he was given the circumstances.
"I had a lot of fun," Geekie said. "Super fun camp, super structured, everything was good, so I was very happy with it."
Geekie's older brother, Morgan, is a forward for the Seattle Kraken, so he's had the opportunity to witness NHL-caliber work ethic far more than most of his peers. Even so, camp can be an eye-opener for anyone experiencing it in person for the first time.
For the first time, prospects are getting a peek at how to become a pro.
"It's a chance for them to get their first glimpse of what it's like," Armstrong said. "It's the work ethic and the little details that go into becoming an unbelievable, top notch, professional athlete."
Though this upcoming season will likely take him back to Winnipeg to develop further before making the jump to the NHL, signing his ELC is the first of many milestones Geekie will experience as a professional hockey player.
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Until that NHL solo lap arrives, though, the warm (literally!) welcome he received in the desert won't soon be forgotten.
"Kind of with the whole organization, whether it's players or personnel, it's been a pretty easy fit to make the transition," Geekie said. "Definitely a little more responsibility, but I'm excited. It's part of growing up and part of being an NHL player.
"I'm really excited to get things going, and like I said, they've brought me in like a family member."