Coyotes Sign Kiel Mcleod

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes Executive Vice President and General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have signed 20-year-old free agent center Kiel McLeod to a multi-year deal. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Last season, the 6-foot-6, 231-pound center played 76 games with the Western Hockey League Champion Kelowna Rockets, ranking 12th in the WHL in scoring with 39-51-90 and 163 penalty minutes (PIM). McLeod ranked 2nd on the Rockets in points and goals and 3rd in assists and penalty minutes. He also ranked among WHL leaders in goals (13th), assists (16th), power play goals (6th with 18), game-winning goals (9th with 7) and plus/minus (18th with a plus-27). McLeod helped lead his team to the Memorial Cup, collecting 5-5-10 and a plus-9 in 8 playoff games.

"With his physical stature and experience, he was one player who actually looked like a professional while he was playing junior," said Barnett. "Now he joins the pros and our club is excited to think of the prospects."

In five seasons with Kelowna, the 20-year-old native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta played in 152 games, collecting 88-112-200 and 334 PIM. He also recorded 44 power play goals and a plus-72 rating.

McLeod was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets (2nd round, 53rd overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft.