The call up from AHL Tucson just before Christmas last year was a dream come true for Jordan Gross.
The Arizona Coyotes defenseman made his NHL debut on December 22 against the Detroit Red Wings, and assisted on one of five Coyotes goals for his first career point. He played the next night at Nashville, then returned to the Roadrunners.
Those two games — totaling about 32 1/2 minutes of ice time -- told Gross he belongs in the NHL. The 25-year-old from Minnesota, re-signed to a one-year contract in October, will get his chance to make the Coyotes' roster when training camp starts for Arizona.