The Arizona Coyotes have added another college prospect, signing Ty Emberson to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal will kick in immediately, meaning Emberson is burning the first year for the 2020-21 season but is eligible for recall to the Coyotes right away. For now, he’ll report to the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. GM Bill Armstrong released a short statement on his newest player:
We are very pleased to sign Ty to an entry-level contract. Ty is a good two-way defenseman who can play in all situations. He is another good prospect for us, and we look forward to monitoring his development.
Emberson, 20, finished his junior season at the University of Wisconsin when the Badgers were knocked out of the NCAA tournament and like several of his teammates has decided to turn pro. Selected 73rd overall in 2018, the young defenseman had 13 points in 31 games this season, his best offensive performance in college. That was actually the most points by a Wisconsin defenseman as their forwards carried most of the offensive load, but production at that end of the rink isn’t really Emberson’s forte anyway.
Instead, he’s lauded for his mobility and physicality, ending rushes by aggressively closing on attackers. Add that kind of strong defensive presence and ability to skate the puck out of trouble to the leadership qualities that made Emberson the captain of the Badgers this season and you have a legitimate NHL prospect, even if his ceiling is somewhat limited. Though he is reporting to the Roadrunners, it shouldn’t be that long before Emberson is challenging for playing time with the Coyotes in a depth role.