ARIZONA COYOTES

Karel Vejmelka, Arizona Coyotes agree to 3-year extension

Mar 21, 2022, 3:36 PM | Updated: 3:40 pm

Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong announced on Monday that goaltender Karel Vejmelka has signed a three-year extension with Arizona.

“That was our goaltender we were going to move forward with in the future,” Armstrong told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo.

According to PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan, the contract carries an annual average value of $2.73 million.

Vejmelka, 25, carries a 3.35 goals against average and .905 save percentage into this week. Arizona is 10-23-1 with Vejmelka in net.

The signing comes after the Coyotes on Sunday traded veteran goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the Dallas Stars for a conditional fourth-round pick ahead of Monday’s NHL trade deadline.

“Wedgewood had played extremely well,” Armstrong said. “We just explored the fact that we could move him for an asset.

“We put it out there and teams came back and gave us a third to Dallas — if they make the playoffs it turns into a third, if not it’s a fourth. That was good value for a goaltender we picked up off waivers.”

Wedgewood, 29, made 23 starts for the Coyotes this year and led the team in save percentage (.911) and goals against average (3.06). Vejmelka’s 34 starts combine with Wedgewood’s 23 to make up for the majority of Arizona’s goalie rotation this year.

Wedgewood is a journeyman that has bounced around several hockey clubs at both the NHL and AHL levels before seeing the most success of his NHL career with the Coyotes this season. He had previously played for Arizona in the 2017-18 season.

Both players were set to be free agents this offseason. Vejmelka would have been a restricted free agent.

Arizona Coyotes

The Utah Hockey Club logo is seen on the helmet of center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the third period...

Brandon Cadiz

Former Arizona Coyotes franchise has fans vote on team name

The former Arizona Coyotes franchise, now the Utah Hockey Club, has chosen three names for fans to vote on for their permanent team name.

7 days ago

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks at a press conference...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona Sports Hall of Fame class includes Michael Bidwill, Mike Bibby and Julie Ertz

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, Wildcats product Mike Bibby and soccer star Julie Ertz are part of the 2025 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame class.

8 days ago

Utah Hockey Club...

Associated Press

Utah Hockey Club’s request to trademark ‘Utah Yetis’ gets denied

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has refused a request by the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club to trademark the name Utah Yetis.

13 days ago

Arizona Coyotes , NHL...

Alex Weiner

Maricopa County Board to form committee dedicated to bringing back NHL

The Maricopa County Board held its first meeting of 2024, and chairman Thomas Galvin brought up his strategy for returning hockey to the Valley.

1 month ago

Head coach Kenny Dillingham of ASU celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Iowa State Cyclon...

Kevin Zimmerman

Top Arizona Sports storylines of 2024: How can we not start with ASU’s CFP run?

ASU football making the College Football Playoff, the Arizona Coyotes moving to Utah and Al McCoy's death led the sports headlines of 2024.

1 month ago

Sean M. Daley mugshot from Scottsdale Police Department. Daley was charged with assaulting former C...

Kevin Zimmerman

Paul Bissonnette attacker indicted for assaulting former Coyotes player

A man accused of attacking former Coyotes player and NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette was indicted last Tuesday

2 months ago

Karel Vejmelka, Arizona Coyotes agree to 3-year extension