Defenseman Janis Moser ready for Coyotes and NHL debut Wednesday night
When the Coyotes went out on the ice for practice Tuesday, there was someone new taking part who hadn't been with the team since training camp in October.
Rookie defenseman Janis Moser, known as J.J. by his Coyotes' coaches and teammates, was called up from AHL Tucson and is set to make his NHL debut Wednesday night when the Coyotes host the New York Rangers at Gila River Arena.
Moser, 21, has 12 points in 18 games with the Roadrunners, including five goals with three of those on the power play. He was drafted with the 60th overall (second round) pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Moser's parents just left the United States this past Sunday, so they'll miss seeing their son play in person at Gila River Arena. But his family will be watching in the pre-dawn hours from Europe.
Moser signed a three-year entry level contract with the Coyotes in August after being drafted. Less than a year ago he was playing for his native Switzerland in the IIHF World Championship in Latvia, and had two assists in seven games against NHL pros and those from other leagues in Europe.
Moser's level of experience in major international tournaments and in the Swiss pro hockey league had him more game-ready for Tucson after about a month with the Coyotes at their rookie development camp, rookie showcase of games against other teams' prospects and a little time in training camp. But he said it took him a couple of months to finally settle in.
"It's the daily work. I feel it definitely helped me just to have some time to focus on getting settled in, feeling more comfortable, getting the details of the North American way to play and just getting to know the American game," Moser said. "You get used to the rink size pretty fast."
In the larger European rinks, speed is important and there is space to get around players. In the U.S., Moser noted, he's had to go into an opposing player and be more physical.
"He was good at the camp, but he's been really good in Tucson," Coyotes head coach André Tourigny said.
Tourigny got input from Roadrunners coach Jay Varady, general manager John Ferguson and Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong, who were all high on Moser's play. He's viewed as an offensive defenseman with his scoring ability, something the Coyotes already have, which fits in with the NHL personnel.
Moser is tied for second in goals for an AHL defenseman this season.
"Want to give him a shot to play in the NHL, and then we'll go from there," Tourigny said. "We don't call him up to sit him. We want to give him a chance to play right away."
The Coyotes are down a defenseman with Jakob Chychrun out due to injury for at least this week. With Moser on the roster, the Coyotes now have three defensemen who opened the season in Tucson, along with Dysin Mayo and Cam Dineen.
Up next
Coyotes (5-20-2) vs. New York Rangers (18-6-3), 7 p.m. Wednesday, Gila River Arena, Bally Sports Arizona, ESPN 620 AM — Wednesday is just the second time since the start of the 2019-20 campaign that the Coyotes and Rangers will go head-to-head. It’s also the first time Arizona will play the Rangers at Gila River Arena since Jan. 6, 2019. ... The Rangers played Tuesday night in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. ... The Coyotes are 2-9-1 at home this season, but they are on a three-game win streak against the Rangers overall with a goal differential of plus-seven (12-5). ... Coyotes D Shayne Gostisbehere has recorded 14 points in 23 career games against the Rangers, including six points. ... Coyotes F Alex Galchenyuk had a goal and two assists in the Coyotes' 5-0 win over New York on Jan. 6, 2019. ... F Ryan Dzingel and C Jay Beagle are also out for the Coyotes. ... Former Coyote Dryden Hunt, who was with Arizona last season, has three goals and three assists for the Rangers this season.
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Coyotes going with rookie Janis Moser on defense vs. New York Rangers
