The Arizona Coyotes haven't qualified for the NHL playoffs since the 2011-12 campaign, and they're reportedly making an unconventional move to try to snap a four-year postseason drought.
The Coyotes announced Thursday that 26-year-old John Chayka is the team's new general manager.
ESPN The Magazine's Craig Custance first reported the news Wednesday. Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press confirmed the news.
Chayka is the NHL's youngest general manager.
"The end goal is very clear: to create a winning environment and a destination players want to play in," Chayka said in his introductory press conference. "We are excited about the challenge ahead and focused on taking our team to the next level.
"This is about creating a model that is player-centric," Chayka continued. "At end of the day, [the] buck stops [with] me on player personnel decisions."
The Coyotes hired Chayka as their assistant general manager in May 2015, but he lasted less than a year in that role after the front office fired former general manager Don Maloney in April.
Chayka has a strong ...
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Article written by Alec Nathan