Coyotes Acquire Imama and Hults From Kings

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Arizona Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong announced today that the Coyotes have acquired forward Bokondji Imama and defenseman Cole Hults from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forwards Brayden Burke and Tyler Steenbergen.

The 24-year-old Imama registered 9-5-14 and a team-high 56 penalty minutes (PIM) in 31 games with the Ontario Reign (AHL) this season. 

Imama was second on Ontario in scoring against Tucson this past season with four goals and three assists for seven points in seven games. He was tied for second on the team with a plus-six.

The 6-foot-1, 221-pound native of Montreal, QC has collected 16-19-35 and 320 PIM in 153 career AHL games with Ontario while also serving as an Alternate Captain. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round (180th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. 

The 23-year-old Hults recorded 1-4-5 and five PIM in 19 games with Ontario this season. 

The 6-foot, 189-pound native of Madison, WI played collegiately at Penn State where he ranks first on the program’s all-time defensemen points list with 78. Hults totaled 17-61-78 in 111 career games with the Nittany Lions. His 17 career goals rank second all-time by a Penn State defenseman. 

Hults was originally drafted by the Kings in the fifth round (134th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. 

Burke recorded 35-64-99 and 74 PIM in 146 career games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL). He originally signed as a free agent with Arizona on March 1, 2018. 

Steenbergen totaled 27-34-61 and 40 PIM in 156 career games with the Roadrunners. He was drafted by the Coyotes in the fifth round (128th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.