The Phoenix Coyotes are a young team in transition. They have good skill on the top two lines and a good core of young defensemen in their top 6. With any young team, the development of prospects is key to the long-term success of the franchise. In 2003-04 the Phoenix Coyotes broke seven new players into the NHL to varying degrees of success. Here is a review of the seven rookies that took to the ice for the Coyotes this season.

Goran Bezina, D

Goran Bezina was called up for a brief audition in March after it became evident that the post season wasn’t in the cards for the Phoenix Coyotes. He had been playing defense for most of the season for affiliate Springfield Falcons of the AHL when he was briefly moved to the wing. After a few solid outings, Bezina was called up to the Coyotes only to be put on the back end. The 24-year-old only averaged five minutes of ice per game and wasn’t an impact either good or bad. Bezina will continue to provide defensive depth for the organization.

Jason Jaspers, C

Jason Jaspers received an emergency call up on March 10^th with Mike Rupp sidelined due to a shoulder injury. The 23-year-old has some offensive skill and decent speed but his size limits his effectiveness. Jaspers in three games played his energy style but was unable to generate anything significant for the Coyotes. As an upcoming RFA, the Coyote organization will have to consider whether or not to qualify Jaspers.

Mike Stutzel, LW

Mike Stutzel was signed as a free agent from the University of Northern Michigan in the NCAA. He was recalled for an audition with the Phoenix Coyotes in mid March replacing Goran Bezina who was in turn sent back down to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. The 25-year-old had a challenging transition to the pro game and did not make any impact over his nine games with the Coyotes. Stutzel is another restricted free agent that Coyotes management will have to make a decision on this off-season.

Eric Westrum, C

Eric Westrum had a successful end to the 2003-04 season with the Phoenix Coyotes. His strong play lifted him from the Springfield Falcons and he made the most of his opportunity in Phoenix. Westrum brought a strong two way game and earned a spot as a regular penalty killer and in his 15 game call-up turned in a performance solid enough to be given some power play time. Although statistically Westrum only provided a goal and an assist in 15 games his all out effort and willingness to go to the net to generate scoring chances earned him a spot on the team. Westrum played so well to close the season he was named to the U.S. World Championship squad. If Westrum is committed to a solid off-season training regimen he will give himself a strong chance of being on the opening day roster of the Coyotes for 2004-05.

Matthew Spiller, D

In his first NHL season, the 21-year-old Matthew Spiller earned a spot on the Coyotes opening night roster and played in 26 games with the Coyotes before being reassigned to Springfield on Dec. 30. The 6-foot-5, 233-pound Spiller was recalled from Springfield on Jan. 18 and played in 13 games with the Coyotes before being reassigned to Springfield on Feb. 18. He was called up again on March 10^th and finished the season with the Coyotes. The 21-year-old is a tall, physical defenseman that relies on his size and strength in the defensive zone. At this early stage the Coyotes did not rely on Spiller to provide any offense. Spiller still has some development to go through before he can be considered a solid NHLer. His confidence with the puck and his decisions away from the puck in the defensive zone still need work. He will compete for a top 6 position with the Coyotes at training camp in 2004-05.

Fredrik Sjostrom, RW

After Krys Kolanos got off to a very slow start in the 2003-04 season it was Fredrik Sjostrom who was the benefactor with his promotion to the Phoenix Coyotes on November 26^th, 2003. Sjostrom brought the game that the Coyotes envisioned when they gave up an additional second round pick to move up in the 2001 draft from 14^th to 11^th to select him. The 20-year-old is a skilled two-way forward that has great top end speed and very good first step quickness. He has good hands and as he develops at the NHL level his offensive numbers will increase. Sjostrom provided solid two-way play in December averaging around seven minutes a game in ice time. Sjostrom’s play earned him more ice time including some power play minutes ending the season averaging 11:35 minutes per game. Although he only scored 13 points in his 57 games in Phoenix, it was evident that his speed and skill point to a future top 6 forward position with the club.

Jeff Taffe, C

Jeff Taffe began the year with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. He started out strong in the AHL and was the Phoenix Coyotes first choice to be called up when Jan Hrdina went down with injury on November 17. The 23-year-old had an up and down season as a rookie, the highlight was a solid performance in February where he scored 9 of his 18 points. He needs to again work on his conditioning and his frame where it was evident he had lost some steam over the last 17 games of the season. He has to continue his hard work and utilize his good size more to be an effective NHLer. Taffe has very good tools including solid puck skills but they did go underutilized this season. He will come to camp penciled in for a starting position in 2004-05 and look to improve in his sophomore season.

The Phoenix Coyotes are a young team whose management has been very vocal about developing players from within the organization. With three prospects earning significant time on the parent club and four more receiving auditions, the Coyote franchise is staying true to its word.