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| Number 55: Jovanovski |
Today I'm going to be a bit cheeky and just write about the Coyotes. In particular, one Coyote – Mr Ed Jovanovski. Tonight, before the game against the Buffalo Sabres, there will be a small ceremony to congratulate Jovanovski on reaching 1000 NHL games. That is some feat and Jovanovski becomes the 256th player to reach that milestone. 256 players that include team-mate Shane Doan who has not only played over 1000 NHL games, but has played them all for the same franchise (Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes).
Jovanovski, the top pick in the 1994 Entry Draft, joined the Yotes in the 2006/07 season from the Vancouver Canucks whom he had been with since the 1998/99 season. He immediately established himself as one of the key players in the Coyotes franchise and remains as such today. Jovanovski reached the final of the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in his rookie year, although he has not returned since, and he won an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada in 2002. He has appeared in five All-Star games in his career and was a Calder Memorial Trophy runner-up in 1996.
If the Coyotes manage to get to the playoffs this year then you can be sure Jovanovski will be one of the main reasons for that achievement. The 'Yotes will hope that Jovo, even at 34, still has a few years left in him to provide the Coyotes defence with experience and to mentor some of the younger defensemen such as Yandle and Ekman-Larsson.
So here's to you Jovanovski, cap this moment with a win over the Sabres.
And well done.
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