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Coyotes recall G Matt Villalta from Tucson Roadrunners

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram may be out for at least a week injured, but the team has identified his replacement until further notice.

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The ‘Yotes announced that Matt Villalta has been recalled from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) on an “emergency basis.”

Villalta has played 34 games for the Roadrunners after signing a one-year contract with the Coyotes last summer.

On Tucson, the 24-year-old has totaled a 22-11-1 record, 2.58 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and two shutouts.

Because of his efforts down in southern Arizona, he was named a 2024 AHL All-Star along with Josh Doan.

Before arriving in the desert, Villalta was a member of the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate, from 2018-23. He also spent eight games in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Komets in the 2019-20 season.

Villalta will assume the Coyotes’ backup role behind Karel Vejmelka until Ingram recovers and is ready to return.

As the Coyotes have a back-to-back against the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 18-19, Villalta might have a chance to make his NHL debut sooner rather than later.

Coyotes G Connor Ingram suffered injury vs. Wild, out 7-10 days

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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Arizona Coyotes, Cardinals and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini

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