Tucson Roadrunners’ Wealth of Talent Preview for 2024-25 – Hockey Writers – Tucson Roadrunners

When general manager Bill Armstrong was hired in 2020, it was the start of a new era for Armstrong and the Arizona Coyotes. After several trades that earned Armstrong plenty of draft money, those picks are slowly becoming players in the NHL. Since the 2021 draft, Armstrong has made a total of 42 picks, including eight first-round picks. This is where Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Dmitri Simashev came in.

While Cooley and Guenther have already established themselves with Utah, and Simashev will be on the way soon, many other prospects are flying under the radar. Admittedly, many NHL-drafted players have never seen the ice at the NHL, or even the American Hockey League (AHL), level, and that’s how things go. That said, most prospects keep doing it and rise to the top, slowly but surely.

That’s a rebuilding process, and Armstrong and Utah are in that situation. There are plenty of opportunities to move up the ranks, especially the Tucson Roadrunners, who will be an exciting team to watch next season.

Lamoureux, Duda, and Szuber Highlight Roadrunners Blue Line

Maverick Lamoureux

Maveric Lamoureux has dealt with injuries the past few seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. This season he played only 39 games, scored nine goals and 33 points. The 6-foot-7 defenseman has length and reach for his large size. Like Josh Doan, he could see some games with Utah late in the season, which would be a huge win for Armstrong and company. Laloureux will see plenty of ice time in Tucson, and hopefully he can stay healthy and see a step up in development.

Artyom Duda

Artyom Duda finally signed his entry-level contract a few days ago, meaning he is finally a member of the Utah Hockey Club. After three appeals to the NCAA and the University of Maine, he was denied due to games played in Russia in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), so he had to turn around. Therefore, he played with Toronto Metro University in the latter half of the 2023-24 season. Duda is a smooth skater with all the offensive instincts in the world, so seeing him finally sign is exciting, but now the uphill battle from the AHL to the NHL begins for the young Russian.

Maksymilian Szuber

It’s rare to get a sixth round pick in the NHL because of the battle that begins after the draft. Not only that, but the jumps that need to be taken are difficult enough on their own as well. Maximilian Szuber, however, has proven those odds wrong and looks to be another Armstrong steal. Last season for the Roadrunners, he scored seven goals and 28 points in 70 games. The 6-foot-3 defenseman has many appealing attributes, and seeing him in the NHL at some point this season wouldn’t be surprising, but only time will tell.

Matikka, Lipkin, and Lutz Lead Charge Upfront

Miko Matikka

After Matikka was drafted in 2022, he saw time in the United States Hockey League, especially after being traded mid-season. Last season, however, he took the NCAA route with the University of Denver, where he thrived. In 43 games, he recorded 20 goals and 33 points as a freshman. Matikka should bring that scoring ability to the Roadrunners, as it is his best attribute, along with his physical play. Matikka is an exciting prospect, but he should see a lot of growth with the Roadrunners this season.

Sam Lipkin

Like Szuber, Sam Lipkin was a seventh round pick in 2021 and has seen great success since then. In the NCAA and Quinnipiac University, he scored 43 points his freshman season and 35 points last season. When he signed with the Roadrunners last season, he saw seven games but registered one assist. Lipkin will provide plenty of experience in the Roadrunners’ locker room and should play a key role in their offense this season.

Julian Lutz

Finally, 2022 second-round pick Julian Lutz has the potential to make some noise down I-10 with the Roadrunners this season. Lutz, who played in the USHL during the 2023-24 season with the Green Bay Gamblers, recorded 24 goals and 68 points in 50 games. He showed his ability to play, which is one of the main reasons why he was selected. His high hockey IQ should see him get more minutes in Tucson and he will give Tucson fans another reason to come out every night.

Runners Will Be Plenty of Entertainment to Watch in 2024-25

In the past, the Coyotes haven’t seen much success, which has translated down to the AHL, which is unfortunate considering how exciting a young team can be. Now, they have the small pieces that will make not only a playoff push but growth in named players and everyone else. Head coach Steve Potvin should be happy to bring in a closer roster, as there is plenty of talent throughout the roster. The Roadrunners are on target for a playoff run in 2024-25 and, hopefully, a playoff run deeper than the 2023-24 season.