CRONKITE SPORTS

First-round pick Barrett Hayton gears up for Coyotes’ development camp

Jun 27, 2018, 4:51 PM | Updated: 4:51 pm

Before being selected by the coyotes with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Barrett Hayton scor...

Before being selected by the coyotes with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Barrett Hayton scored 21 goals and 60 points for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. (Photo by Jade Hanson/Cronkite News)

(Photo by Jade Hanson/Cronkite News)

GLENDALE — Barrett Hayton stepped into Gila River Arena ready to work.

The Arizona Coyotes’ first-round selection in last weekend’s NHL Entry Draft traveled directly from the event in Dallas to Glendale to participate in the Coyotes’ development camp this week.

Hayton, the No. 5 overall pick, scored 21 goals and notched 39 assists in 63 games last season for the star-studded Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The 18-year-old center, alongside former NHL draft picks Morgan Frost, Boris Katchouk and Tim Gettinger, led the Greyhounds to a 55-7 record, losing in the Ontario Hockey League championship game.

But for Hayton, this week marks a new chapter in his life as part of the Phoenix Coyotes’ organization. Although Hayton will most likely spend next season with the Greyhounds again in the OHL, all eyes are on the prospect who draws comparisons to Boston’s two-way center Patrice Bergeron.

“Obviously, it’s a goal of mine to get into the NHL as soon as possible,” Hayton said in his first press conference at Gila River Arena. “(Getting drafted) is really just the tip of the iceberg. It’s really just the start of a lot of work ahead.”

Hayton has the backing of Coyotes’ President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka. After months and months of prospect evaluation, Chayka and his staff put their trust in Hayton, selecting him over TSN’s No. 4 prospect Filip Zadina. Hayton was ranked No. 11 on the same list.

“I think what makes (Hayton) special is that he’s good at everything,” Chayka said. “Being that play-making center through the middle of the ice, that dedicated 200-foot guy, that’s why those centers that are like that are impossible to acquire. Whether it’s his athleticism, whether it’s his underlying data, whether it’s our in-person views, our video views, across the board he checked all the boxes. There was really no reason not to take him.”

But like Hayton, Chayka knows the selection is just the first part in the process of acquiring an NHL star. Unless the prospect is a generational talent, NHL draftees usually take time to develop in their respective leagues before making the jump to NHL competition. With nine picks in this year’s draft and another nine from last year, the Coyotes are entering a crucial era of development that could decide the team’s fate for years to come.

“It’s not an evaluation camp, it’s a development camp” Chayka said. “We talked a lot about our alignment with them. They’re part of our organization now and we’re as motivated and incentivized to get them to the next level as they should be.”

Hayton enters this week with a plan. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect said he wants to work on his explosiveness this summer, something he was knocked for during draft evaluations. Hayton also said while meeting with the Coyotes’ during the draft process he got a good feel for the organization and how they develop their players.

“Through the process of them getting to know me and also me getting to know them, I know on my behalf I was very intrigued with this organization,” Hayton said. “We talked about their mentality and really the process they have in play to develop their players. That along with the core pieces they have, I think all that kind of gave me a great feel for the organization.”

Hayton hopes to follow in the footsteps of some of those core pieces. The Chayka-era Coyotes have had mixed results developing their first-round talent. Phoenix’s two first-round picks from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft — forward Clayton Keller (No. 7 overall) and defenseman Jakob Chychrun (No. 16 overall) — have made an immediate impact on the team.

Keller finished his rookie season as the club’s leader in goals (23) and points (65), and also finished third in Calder Trophy voting, an award given to the league’s top rookie. Chychrun, while battling injuries, has solidified himself as a second-line defenseman for the Coyotes. And after playing the last two seasons as the youngest defenseman in the NHL, is considered to have one of the highest upsides on the team.

However, the Coyotes highest pick in recent years was Dylan Strome at No. 3 overall in 2015. Strome’s game has not yet translated to the NHL level. In 28 games of NHL action, Strome has recorded only four goals and six assists. Although Strome has gotten off to a slow start, the 21-year-old forward still has been effective in the AHL and should have a bit of time to develop before the Coyotes move on from the prospect.

The Coyotes organization had high praise for Hayton after the draft, noting his work-ethic and advanced knowledge of the game as the catalyst for development.

“(We) couldn’t get a better kid and a more committed kid. He understands the game so well and there’s upside,” Coyotes’ Director of Amatuer scouting Tim Bernhardt told reporters after the draft. “We believe there’s some real upside on the skill side, we think it’s underrated.”

Chayka echoed Bernhardt and added that although Hayton wasn’t even top five in points on his OHL team, he demonstrated exceptional consistency and was heavily relied on night in and night out.

“As a 17-year-old, to be used in all those situations, big face-offs, big penalty kills, top-unit power play. Across the board he was really relied upon,” Chayka said. “We hope he brings that to the next level … and if he can, he’s a special player.”

Hayton will continue to participate in this week’s development camp Thursday (9 a.m to 12:45 p.m) and will play in an intrasquad game on Friday at 6 p.m. The practices and game at Gila River Arena are free and open to the public.

Cronkite Sports

Cronkite Sports

Sports gambling in Arizona moves closer to reality

In the near future, the Arizona sports fan’s experience could include the ability to place bets inside sports venues while the action unfolds.

3 years ago

Higley quarterback Kai Millner committed to Cal this spring, despite visiting the campus just once ...

Cronkite Sports

Arizona high school football recruits still committing amid coronavirus

Despite visiting campuses few times if at all in some cases, class of 2021 high school football prospects from Arizona are committing at record rates.

4 years ago

(Photo via Cronkite News courtesy Mesa Community College Facebook)...

Arizona Sports

COVID-19 prompts junior colleges to push for cancellation of sports

The 2020-21 school year for Maricopa County community colleges may not include sports, schools await a decision by the district chancellor.

4 years ago

New Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez believes outreach in the Arizona Hispanic market is ...

Cronkite Sports

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach Latino community

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez is the first Latino president and CEO in NHL history and hopes to reach new fans in the Valley.

4 years ago

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who joined the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason, is ready to get the WNBA...

Cronkite Sports

Full pay, 22-game season in Florida on tap for Phoenix Mercury

Another league has agreed on a return-to-play plan in the month of July. This time it’s the WNBA, whose members include the Phoenix Mercury.

4 years ago

Phoenix Rising FC assistant coaches Peter Ramage (left) and Blair Gavin are awaiting details about ...

Cronkite Sports

Phoenix Rising players await news on resumption of USL Championship

Phoenix Rising FC and the USL Championship are set to resume play July 11 while players wait on more details for the return.

4 years ago

First-round pick Barrett Hayton gears up for Coyotes’ development camp