Back to the Arizona Coyotes Newsfeed

Ilya Lyubushkin’s physicality helping the Arizona Coyotes blueline

The 24-year-old Russian blueliner joined the Arizona Coyotes as an undrafted rookie this past summer, having spent the majority of his career playing in his homeland.

Joining the team after making 257 regular appearances in the KHL with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, plus a further 53 playoff appearances, Lyubushkin has played predominantly a third-pairing role.

He has averaged 14:04 on the ice this season, holding a 48.7% Corsi rating while starting in the offensive zone 52.8% of the time – not stellar possession numbers, but by no means terrible.

The 6-foot-2, 201lbs right-hander has caught the attention of some, however, for his physical style of play – putting his body on the line night-in, night-out for the Coyotes.