Arizona Coyotes sign Steenbergen to three-year, entry-level contract

The Arizona Coyotes officially added more offensive skill to their organization Tuesday, signing Swift Current Broncos forward Tyler Steenbergen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Steenbergen was selected by the Coyotes in the fifth round, 128th overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft. Since then, he’s continued his production that made him and the Broncos such an offensive force last season. In 51 games this year, Steenbergen has recorded 98 points (44G-54A) and a plus-52 rating, surpassing his career-high point total from 72 games last season. Steenbergen has added nine power play goals, one short-handed goal and seven game-winning goals to compliment the Broncos offence this season.

The magical season for the 19-year-old forward from Sylvan Lake, Alta. featured numerous honours and strong performances on the international stage. Starting in the second game of the season, Steenbergen recorded a seven-game goal scoring streak with 16 goals over that stretch. He also recorded 35 points (16G-19A) over his team’s first 13 games. He was twice named the WHL On The Run Player of the Week in the first five weeks of the season and was named the WHL’s Player of the Month for September/October. He also captured CHL Player of the Week honours once.

Steenbergen got the chance to represent Team WHL at the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series, playing in his home rink in Speedy Creek during the two-game series. He was then short-listed for Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team, named to the roster for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and scored the tournament-winning goal for Canada to help place them on top of the hockey world.

At the moment, Steenbergen sits tied for fifth in the league with 44 goals and sixth overall in WHL scoring. He also has the second-best points-per-game average among the Top 10 WHL scorers, trailing only teammate Aleksi Heponiemi.

The 5-foot-10, 182-pound product of Sylvan Lake, Alta. was originally drafted by the Broncos in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. Since then, he’s played in 262 career WHL regular season games, registering 245 points (120G-125A) and a plus-53 rating. He also has 35 power-play goals, three short-handed goals and 22 game-winning goals to his credit throughout his career.

Steenbergen has also appeared in 18 career WHL playoff games, recording 15 points (9G-6A), including three power-play goals and two game-winning goals.

The forward will now join forces with a divisional rival after Moose Jaw Warrior forward Brayden Burke signed a three-year, entry-level deal last week.

Challenging for first place in the East Division, Eastern Conference, and the entire league, Steenbergen and the Broncos will take to the ice next on Wednesday, March 7 (7:00 p.m. CST) when they host the Calgary Hitmen.

OFFICIAL: #Coyotes Sign Steenbergen to Entry-Level Contract https://t.co/Gs0hdu2TLz

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) March 6, 2018