Coyotes send Dylan Strome to AHL, recall forward Mario Kempe

Arizona Coyotes centre Dylan Strome. (Tony Avelar/AP)

The Arizona Coyotes have assigned highly touted prospect Dylan Strome to their AHL affiliate in Tucson, the club announced Monday.

Strome, the club’s third-overall pick from the 2015 NHL Draft, skated in two regular season tilts for Arizona this season, registering six shots on net and zero points. Strome was held off the board during two pre-season games as well.

Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said Strome’s AHL assignment was carried out with the goal of giving him more playing time, according to AZ Central’s Sarah McLellan.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion bench boss did leave the door open for Strome to return to the big leagues this season, however.

Strome has played a total of nine NHL games between this season and 2016-17, recording one assist in that span.

Kempe, recalled from the Roadrunners on Monday, posted one goal and two assists in his lone AHL appearance this season. The Swedish winger amassed 34 points in 56 games for the KHL’s Podolsk Vityaz last season.

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