14 hours Ago
Utah Hockey Club’s Logan Cooley does not answer his phone a lot in the summer. That is a looming problem for his teammates. Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan are campaigning for the 20-year-old forward to live with them next season.
“We’ll keep you posted on that,” Kesselring said. “Me and Josh are hoping we can make that happen.” Kesselring, 25, is in his second full NHL season.
Doan, 23, is in his first extended stint after spending parts of it with the Tucson Roadrunners. Cooley is wrapping up his second year after being one of the organization’s most-anticipated rookies. While different players on the ice, the youngsters are going through similar experiences off of it; learning how to mesh in a professional locker room, live on their own, maintain friendships and build a life outside of hockey.
Cooley, Kesselring and Doan have been able to lean on each other through all of that. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.
“They’re so much fun to be around. We do a lot together. Away from the rink, too, it can get a bit boring at times when you’re playing and have a day off with nothing going on,” Cooley said.
“We keep each other busy. I think we really got close during this year and definitely love hanging out with them.” It is easy to forget that Cooley would be a junior in college if he were not in the NHL.
He’s third on the team in points with 56 (22 goals, 34 assists), centers the first line and is on the first power play unit. And he’s still below the legal drinking age. Cooley’s a professional, no doubt, and it shows in his play.
But there is a lot behind the scenes with coming into the league and feeling comfortable. Cooley inked his three-year, entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes in August 2023 on the heels of a heartbreaking, overtime loss in the NCAA National Championship with the University of Minnesota. He, initially, was going to return for his sophomore season with the Golden Gophers but at the last minute decided to turn pro.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) celebrates a goal as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL hockey at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 22, 2025. The Pittsburgh native moved in with former Coyotes forward Michael Grabner and his family in Scottsdale for his rookie season in Arizona. He was introduced to the NHL in a year of turmoil that ultimately landed the team in Salt Lake City.
There, to put it lightly, was not much space to settle. This season, Cooley has been allowed to evolve as both a player and a person. He’s made some friends along the way.
“You’re starting to see guys grow into their personalities, be a bit more comfortable and not as much on edge when it comes to being at the rink,” Doan said. “Cools is one of those guys where you start to see his personality come out more in public with everybody. He’s one of the better guys in the room so it’s nice to see that.
” It takes a lot to be successful at the NHL level — and part of it is mental. Maintaining confidence and consistency is a primary goal for the younger players. A supportive environment helps breed that.
It’s also another note in Kesselring’s pitch to be roommates. “That’s why I think it would be great for us to all live together. We’re always together and if you have a bad game or something you have two guys at home that can help cheer you up and be positive and stuff like that,” Kesselring said.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) in NHL action between the Utah Hockey Club and the San Jose Sharks, at the Delta Center, on Friday, Jan 10, 2025. When the team is on the road, the trio does “everything” together. They go for dinner and, to Doan’s annoyance, get some shopping in too.
“They’re big into fashion and it’s not even that fashionable,” Doan said. “They think it is. It’s pretty entertaining.
” Cooley sat in his locker and laughed when told about Doan’s comment. He, more recently, is starting to get into his clothing style. And hey, with an NHL salary, why not experiment? “We just go to do something and end up buying stuff we probably shouldn’t.
It’s a good time, though,” Cooley said. “We got these ugly sunglasses. Probably something I would never wear in public but we all just thought it would be funny and we could maybe wear them into one of the walk-ins here.
” The King and his cats 😌 pic.twitter.com/qSXzgZhiOJ Cooley has contemplated moving in with Kesselring and Doan next season.
His family has spent a lot of time in Utah with him this year, he said, so it would be tough to balance hosting them and living with two roommates. “But when [my family] is not here, it gets pretty lonely,” Cooley said. “So I’m always just trying to hang out with them.
It’s something that I’ll probably look into and hopefully, we can get that going.” While Cooley has assets as a roommate — he’s funny and good at Fortnite, Kesselring said — cooking is something the two will leave to Doan. Doan has accepted the responsibility; it’s been clear this year that Kesselring is no help in the kitchen.
He doesn’t mind helping Cooley out, either. “Maybe lower [Doan’s] rent a little bit because we know he will be cooking a little more. Maybe we’re the cleanup crew or something,” Kesselring said.
“We’ll have to arrange that. I’ll give Josh credit, he’s a really good cook. I’m not good for much and no way Cools is as good as me.
” (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club forward Josh Doan (91) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Cooley would admit to that, too.
“I don’t even think I could cook eggs. I cook a really good cereal and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” Cooley said. “I was fortunate enough that my mom has been out here a lot so she usually does the cooking.
But when she’s not here I’m pretty screwed. Try to get as many meals at the rink.” It seems roommate negotiations will seep into the offseason — as will conversations with the front office regarding a contract extension for Cooley.
He has shown streaks of brilliance in his cumulative 150 games with the organization and his teammates are excited to have him as a key piece of the group for the foreseeable future. “I love Logan. He’s a great kid.
He’s a kid. But he’s an awesome guy, a special player and is going to be around here for a long time,” Kesselring said. “Hopefully we get to be good friends for a long time.
” And even if he doesn’t end up rooming with his teammates, the trio will still be hanging out. Though Cooley won’t be the one driving — a skill he has apparently yet to master. “I don’t know if I’d be driving to the rink with Logan,” Kesselring said.
“I don’t know if I trust him yet.” Note to readers • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.
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