Three Coyotes nominated for the 2011 All-Star Ballot

The Phoenix Coyotes are in a rhythm this season that is unseen in years past with Captain Shane Doan, right-winger, earning four goals and six assists this season and being one of the three Coyote’s players being nominated for the 2012 All-Star-Game, according to NHL.com.

By Ryan Dreesch, December 2011 Sports Editor

Defensemen Coyote, Keith Yandle, forward Ray Whitney, and Doan have all been placed on the voting ballot for one of the most prestigious nominations in the National Hockey League, the All-Star-Game. Only the best of the best are selected to perform on the same class of ice as the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Captain Doan has been an absolute asset in keeping this Coyote franchise alive bringing a veteran status and selfless style of playing that has earned him the captain’s patch for a fifth season with the Coyotes. Doan is currently ranked 98th in the league for goals and 106th in the NHL for assists.

Yandle has entered his sixth season with the coyotes and has been an absolute rock for this Coyote defense with assists and clearing the zone. Yandle has only one goal for the season but sits in only 58th place for assists in the entire NHL and has been nominated by the All-Star committee as a result.

Ray Whitney is absolutely on fire for the Coyotes squad with a speed that is unmatched for the Desert Dogs and is a threat to any goalie when on a breakaway play. Whitney is a crease player and creates great redirection and screen shots in front of the net. Whitney’s record is nothing to shrug off either with the highest standing in rank for the Coyotes at 13th place in the NHL for goals and 33rd in the league for assists with an overall points standing of 29th place.

The coaching staff for the Coyotes’ organization has taken much scrutiny after not signing former head coach and all time leading NHL goal scorer, Wayne Gretzky, to a renewal of his coaching contract in 2009. Gretzky never was able to lead the team to a play-off season in his almost eight-years with the Coyotes.

Dave Tippett was selected to replace Gretzky for the 2009 season and led the Coyotes to their first ever season above 40 wins since appearing in the Arizona desert. The direction Tippett has taken this team in just these few short years is enough to bring hope to the fans of the Coyotes as lingering clouds still hang overhead in regards to the future of this hockey club.

The NHL still technically owns the hockey team since former owner Jerry Moyes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. Hopefully, this spark of action regarding the All-Star roster will guide the franchise in a positive direction towards a play-off season and a permanent home in the desert.