Coyotes Thrilled Dysin Mayo Gets Contract Extension

A lesson from Dysin Mayo's professional hockey career is that no matter how many minor-league games you play, you will get an opportunity to prove yourself to the big club. When that opportunity comes, you better be ready.

Mayo took full advantage of his shot. The defenseman made his NHL debut earlier this season at the age of 25 and has proved to the Coyotes coaches, management, teammates and opponents that he belongs in the League. A little over four months after making his NHL debut, Mayo was rewarded for his hard work with a three-year contract extension.
"Coming into the season I just wanted to get that one NHL game to see if I personally belonged or not," said Mayo. "Now I have a three-year contract, so it's an unreal feeling and something I'm very proud of. I worked hard for it."
A fifth-round draft choice by Arizona in 2014 from the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings, Mayo paid his dues by playing in 283 minor-league games - 25 of which were in the ECHL - before making his NHL debut. He was a member of the inaugural Tucson Roadrunners squad in 2016-17, and got a taste of playoff hockey at the pro level by playing in seven postseason games with the club in 2018. The Coyotes had a deep core on the blue line when Mayo turned pro, which made it difficult to get an opportunity. But that didn't discourage him, as he just focused on controlling what he could control, which was work hard to get better every day.
"I didn't let that get me down," Mayo said about his lengthy stay in the AHL. "I just kept trying to grow my game day-to-day in Tucson. I had lots of encouraging coaches down there that kept on me to keep going, so that helped a lot. I was just waiting for my opportunity."

Mayo's robust seasoning prepared him to make a good impression for the current management group and coaching staff. Despite not making the team out of training camp, Head Coach André Tourigny's thoughts were that he'd get a call-up sooner rather than later.
"When I talked to him back in training camp after he was released, I told him how much we liked him, and I told him we want him back at some point," said Tourigny. "From there, we had the debate because every day he was really good and I said, 'we need to give him an opportunity at some point.'
"It was supposed to be a one-game shot, he played really well. Then we gave him another chance, and a little bit later the rest was history."
Mayo scored in his NHL debut on Oct. 21, becoming just the eighth defensemen in franchise history to do so. Ironically, he thought he played average his first two games, but things clicked in game number three for the blueliner.
"All of a sudden in my third game against Washington, coach put me on the top pair with Chychrun," said Mayo. "I think I had 20-plus minutes that game and I think that clicked for me there where I felt I belonged. It was nice of the coaches to show that confidence in me early on."
Aside from a four-game absence in January due to COVID-19 protocols, Mayo has played in every game for the Coyotes since Oct. 28, often playing big minutes and has racked up the blocked shots. Among qualified rookie defensemen in the NHL, Mayo enters March second in time on ice per game (20:45) and blocked shots (86), trailing just Detroit's Moritz Seider in both categories.
"I'm not sure who's most happy about the contract extension, him or me," said Tourigny. "Probably even on that one. Mayo is the perfect player to coach. He's 'yes sir,' and 'no problem, sir."

Now having his contract situation taken care of through the 2024-25 season, Mayo can just focus on developing his game even further. The extension demonstrates that the organization sees him as an important piece to the rebuild who can rub off on others both on and off the ice.
"Dysin Mayo represents the exact the kind of culture we want to have," said Tourigny. "I'm really happy Mayo signed; really good job from Bill and his team, David [Ludwig] and all of the group."
Tourigny concluded his thoughts with a grin, saying "Coach is happy."
Now that Mayo is up with the parent club and in the organization's long-term plans, how does he plan on making sure his performance continues to meet everyone's expectations?
"Just keep playing and try to play the right way and go about my business," he said. "I don't want to change anything. I think what I did to get myself here is what will keep me here, so I just need to keep going about that."