TEMPE, Ariz. -- Once in a while, the Arizona Coyotes' scouts get the chance to veer off the beaten path and watch games that don't attract a lot of attention. That was how Coyotes director of amateur scouting Tim Bernhardt discovered Patrick Kudla, who posted 13 goals and 66 points in 50 games with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season.
Sun Devils men's hockey coach Greg Powers had his own reasons for pursuing Kudla, a 20-year-old defenseman from Guelph, Ontario.
"When we were looking at building our program we knew we were going to have to find some older, uncommitted kids," Powers said.