Matthew Villalta recalled by the Arizona Coyotes
Tucson, Arizona- The Arizona Coyotes announced today that goaltender Matthew Villalta has been recalled to the Arizona Coyotes for his first NHL call-up of his career. Villalta becomes the 13th player who has been recalled this season from the Roadrunners to Coyotes.
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In addition, Villalta is the eighth goaltender in Roadrunners history to be recalled to the Coyotes; joining names including: Adin Hill and Ivan Prosvetov.
The 2024 AHL All-Star netminder has had a season to remember in his first year in Tucson; his 34 starts are first in the AHL along with wins (22), minutes (2,024) and saves (917). Overall, Villalta is sporting a 2.58 goals-against-average and .913 save percentage with a 22-11-1 record. His win total of 22 is tied with former Tucson goalie Hunter Miska for the Roadrunners all-time season high that was set in the 2017-18 season. Villalta has put up two shutouts this season along with a career-high 45 save game against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on November 12.
Villalta is in his fifth season in the AHL; having four prior seasons with the Ontario Reign and his first with the Roadrunners this season. In his career, Villalta has compiled an 80-43-12 record with a 2.92 goals-against-average, .904 save percentage and four shutouts in 142 games played.
List of Roadrunners who have been called up this season.
- Jan Jenik
- Zach Sanford (no longer with organization)
- Ben McCartney
- Michael Kesselring
- Milos Kelemen
- Vladislav Kolyachonok
- Ryan McGregor
- Patrick Koch
- Justin Kirkland
- Dylan Guenther
- Victor Soderstrom
- Steven Kampfer
- Matthew Villalta
The Roadrunners are 28-14-2-1 and second place in the Pacific Division with a two-game weekend series against the Ontario Reign that begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. MST.