Logan Cooley returning to University of Minnesota next season
Arizona Coyotes top prospect Logan Cooley will return to the University of Minnesota for the 2023-24 campaign, the school announced Friday.
The Coyotes drafted Cooley third overall in 2022. The 19-year-old dominated the NCAA last season, tallying 22 goals and 60 points in 39 games. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Minnesota lost the championship game in heartbreaking fashion, as it was upset by Quinnipiac seconds into overtime.
Cooley's commitment is a major boost for the Golden Gophers, who will again be among the NCAA's top teams. Minnesota has lost top contributors Matthew Knies, Brock Faber, and Jackson LaCombe to the NHL.
The Golden Gophers previously announced the returns of fifth-year senior forward Jaxon Nelson and goaltender Justen Close. Minnesota's recruiting class is headlined by projected 2023 first-round pick Oliver Moore and Chicago Blackhawks first-rounder Sam Rinzel.
Cooley is eligible for the 2024 world juniors, where he will almost certainly star for Team USA again. He tallied seven goals and 14 points en route to a bronze medal in January. Cooley is four goals and seven points away from matching the all-time American record for each statistic.