Coyotes sign Center Mike Ribeiro to Four-Year Contract

Glendale, Arizona. (PM) Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed center Mike Ribeiro (pronounced Rih-BAIR-roh) to a four-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to sign Mike to a multi-year contract,” Maloney said. “Mike is an elite playmaker who has exceptional vision and creativity on the ice. He has tremendous offensive skills with great patience with the puck. Our Head Coach, Dave Tippett, is very familiar with Mike’s game and believes he will be an excellent addition to our hockey club. We look forward to welcoming him to Phoenix.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound center has recorded 186-423-609 in 785 career NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals. In 49 career Stanley Cup playoff games he has posted 6-21-27.

Last season the Montreal, Quebec native ranked second on the Capitals in scoring with 13-36-49 in 48 games. He ranked 12th overall in the NHL in scoring and was fifth in assists. Ribeiro also led the NHL in power-play assists (21) in 2012-13 and tied for the NHL lead in power-play points (27) with Alexander Ovechkin.

Prior to last year’s shortened season, Ribeiro was one of 12 active NHL players to record eight-consecutive 50-point seasons. In 2011-12 with Dallas, he ranked tied for second on the Stars in scoring with 18-45-63 in 74 games. His 45 assists ranked tied for first on the team. It marked the fifth time in his 13-year NHL career he posted 60 or more points.

The 33-year-old Ribeiro recorded career highs in goals (27), assists (56), points (83) and plus/minus (+21) in 76 games with Dallas in 2007-08 under current Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett. He went on to post 3-14-17 in 18 playoff games that season in helping the Stars to the Western Conference Final. He also appeared in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Ribeiro was originally drafted by the Canadiens in the second round (45th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Coyotes re-sign Defenseman Chris Summers

Glendale, Arizona – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed defenseman Chris Summers to a one-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to sign Chris to a one-year contract,” said Maloney. “Chris is an excellent skater and continues to improve each season. He adds depth to our blueline corps and we look forward to having him back in our lineup this season.”

In parts of three NHL seasons, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound Summers has appeared in 29 games with the Coyotes, totaling 0-3-3 and 24 penalty minutes (PIM).

„I’m very excited to continue my career with the Phoenix Coyotes,” said Summers. “Today is a very exciting day for me and my family. I am looking forward to a great season”

Last season, the 25-year-old native of Ann Arbor, Mich., appeared in six games with the Coyotes. He also recorded 2-10-12 and 53 PIM in 60 games with Portland (AHL). Summers represented the Pirates at the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic where he won the fastest skater competition in the AHL Skills Competition.

Summers was originally drafted by the Coyotes in the first round (29th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Coyotes re-sign Defenseman Michael Stone

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed defenseman Michael Stone to a three-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to sign Michael to a multi-year contract,” said Maloney. “Michael is a big, strong, versatile young defenseman who has quickly developed into solid blueliner for our hockey team. We are looking forward to having him in our lineup this season.”

Last season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Stone set career highs in games played (40), goals (5), assists (4), points (9) and penalty minutes (16). He finished the season with a plus-2 rating. Stone also played 36 games with the Portland Pirates (AHL), collecting 6-22-28 and 20 PIM.

“I am excited to be back with the Coyotes,” said Stone. “We have a great group of defensemen and coaches here and I’m looking forward to working hard and getting better next season.”

In 2011-12, the 23-year-old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba played 13 games with the Coyotes recording 1-2-3 and two PIM. He also played in 52 games with the Pirates, registering 9-13-22 and 24 PIM. In his rookie professional season with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Stone played 70 games collecting 2-11-13 and 27 PIM.

Stone was originally drafted by the Coyotes in the third round (69th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.