Coyotes Re-Sign Capobianco To Two-Year Contract
GLENDALE, ARIZONA — Arizona Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed defenseman Kyle Capobianco to a two-year, one-way contract and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (pronounced EE-lee-yuh l’yoo-BUSH-ken) to a one-year, one-way contract. As per Club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Photo By Chris Hook
“We are very pleased to re-sign Ilya and Kyle,” said Armstrong. “Ilya is a tough, physical defenseman and Kyle is an excellent skater and a skilled blueliner. We look forward to having them as part of our corps of defensemen next season.”
The 23-year-old Capobianco recorded 1-0-1 with two penalty minutes (PIM) in nine games with Arizona in 2019-20. He also totaled 10-27-37 and 47 PIM in 42 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) last season. Capobianco led Tucson defensemen in assists and points while his five power-play goals (PPGs) were second-most on the team.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound native of Mississauga, ON has one goal in 12 career NHL contests. He has collected 19-80-99 with 134 PIM and a +26 rating in 135 career AHL games with Tucson. Capobianco was selected to represent the Roadrunners at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic for the third straight season. He was drafted by the Coyotes in the third round (63rd overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Photo Courtesy of Texas Stars
The 26-year-old Lyubushkin registered 0-4-4 with 18 PIM in 51 games with the Coyotes in 2019-20. He led Arizona defensemen with 151 hits during the regular season.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound native of Moscow, RU has totaled 0-8-8 and 31 PIM in 92 career games with the Coyotes. Lyubushkin signed with Arizona as a free agent on May 23, 2018.
Tucson Notes
-Capobianco led AHL Defensemen in points-per-game in 2019-2020 with 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points in 42 games. He ranked seventh among AHL Defensemen in scoring overall.
-Capobianco led Roadrunners defensemen in scoring the last three seasons with 19 goals and 80 assists for 99 points in 131 games.
-Lyubushkin appeared in two games for the Roadrunners at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season.
