Ben McCartney

July 2024- Coming off his ELC, McCartney has been signed to a one-year, two-way contract for 2024-25. The 22-year-old recorded six goals and 22 points in 46 games last season, while continuing to play his effective agitating game. After racking up 18 goals in his first pro campaign, McCartney has struggled to put up consistent offensive numbers. Not helping, the gritty forward has battled injuries the last two years. When McCartney is on though, he could be a possible fourth liner for Utah, agitating and knocking in the rare point here and there. Keith Duggan

June 2023- McCartney struggled offensively in 2022-23, with just seven goals and 15 points in 45 games. More was expected from the gritty McCartney, after a strong first year in the AHL. Maybe the injury he suffered to start training camp slowed his game but expect more from him for 2023-24. Keith Duggan

November 2022- Missing most of Coyotes training camp and the beginning of 2022-23 with an injury, McCartney is back and playing well for Tucson. After a slow start when he returned to the lineup, McCartney has been great for Tucson recently. He has four points in his last five contests, for seven in 11 games. Keith Duggan

July 2022- After McCartney’s hot start to 2021-22, he cooled off, showing that there is still some develop time before being ready for full-time NHL duty. McCartney was still one of Tucson’s best players, finishing second on the team in goals with 18. The organization is high on him and consider McCartney a future bottom six fixture in their lineup. They compare him to former Coyote Michael Bunting, as the two play a very similar style. Look for McCartney to play 2022-23 in the AHL again earning a few longer call-ups to Arizona. Keith Duggan

November 2021- It has been a great start to McCartney’s first pro season. He came out firing as one of Tucson’s top players, scoring five goals and seven points in eight games which included a hat trick. His strong play has earned him two separate call-ups to Arizona, where McCartney has not looked out of place. Keith Duggan

October 2021- McCartney had an outstanding performance at the Coyotes Rookie Faceoff Tournament, finishing with three goals and an assist. He drew penalties, threw hits, won board battles and just generally hustled all tournament. He’s been assigned to Tucson to begin 2021-22, but keep an eye on him, McCartney keeps exceeding expectations. Keith Duggan

May 2021- After playing very well for Tucson to finish the 2020-21 campaign, the Coyotes signed McCartney to an entry-level contract. After finishing second in WHL scoring, just a few points behind Golden Knights first-round pick Peyton Krebs, McCartney put up five points in four AHL games. He’ll turn 20 this summer and is expected to play for the Roadrunners this coming season. Keith Duggan

May 2021- After going undrafted in 2019, the Coyotes took a chance on McCartney and drafted him in the seventh-round last year. There is nothing complicated to his game, he plays a physically menacing forechecking style. McCartney gets up close and personal with the opposing team’s goalie, scoring nearly all his points below the goal line (assists), or front of the net. McCartney is reliable on the powerplay and can finish most pucks thrown his way in this area. He’s a pest whistle-to-whistle and usually after that, resulting in some decent PIM totals. McCartney has played the last four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings, leading the team in points this year. After a point-per-game year in 2019-20, he finished with 13 goals and 37 points in 24 games this past campaign. That was good for second in scoring among the WHL, just a few points behind the leader. His footspeed isn’t great so if he makes the NHL, it will be a fourth line/PP2 net front presence. Signed to a professional tryout, McCartney got off to an excellent start, scoring a goal and assist in his debut with Tucson, the Coyotes AHL team. Keith Duggan