Photo: Tucson Roadrunners
BINGHAMTON, NY –The New Jersey Devils today acquired forward Michael Latta from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Ryan Kujawinski. The announcement was made by New Jersey Devils Executive Vice President/General Manager Ray Shero.
Latta, 26, has spent all of the 2017-18 season with Arizona’s AHL affiliate, Tucson Roadrunners, where he was an alternate captain. In 20 games this season, he has two goals and six assists for eight points with 17 penalty minutes. The 6-0, 205lb., Kitchener, Ontario-native was in his first season with the Coyotes’ organization after signing a one-year, two-way contact worth $650,000 at the NHL-level on July 4, 2017. He had spent the previous campaign between the AHL’s Ontario Reign and Rockford IceHogs, totaling a combined five goals and 17 assists for 24 points to go along with 128 penalty minutes in 61 regular-season contests. At the NHL-level, Latta played 113 regular-season games from 2013 to 2016 with the Washington Capitals, scoring 17 points, four goals and 13 assists.
Before turning professional, Latta played in the Ontario Hockey League for the Ottawa 67’s, 2007-09, and Guelph Storm, 2009-10. In his OHL career, he notched 247 points, 103 goals and 144 assists, in 241 OHL regular-season contests and skated in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game. Born on May 25, 1991, he was Nashville’s fourth selection (3rd round), 72nd overall, in the 2009 NHL Draft.
Kujawinski, 22, spent the entirety of 2017-18 with New Jersey’s AHL affiliate, Binghamton Devils. In five games this season, the Kirkland Lake, Ontario-native scored one goal and one assist for two points and seven penalty minutes. He was New Jersey’s second selection (3rd round), 73rd overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.
The Binghamton Devils return home this Saturday against the Belleville Senators at 7:05 p.m. Call the Devils’ front office at 607-733-7367 for more information.
