Arizona Coyotes ready to find out what Max Domi can do

To suggest the goal was one of the more meaningful ones in winger Max Domi’s career would be off base.

It didn’t clinch a win, a playoff series or a gold medal.

Actually, it was scored in the second period when his junior club, the London Knights, was already leading 4-1.

And yet once the clip made it to the web, it went viral in the hockey community.

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In a game against the Sarnia Sting last January, Domi chased down a loose puck and as the goaltender came out of his net to challenge, sprawling on his side, Domi flipped the puck over the goalie, skated around him and tipped the puck into the empty net.

“I don’t know how my brain thinks like that,” he said.

No explanation is needed.

If that’s the quality of skill Domi is able to translate to the NHL, the potential of the Coyotes grows even more. But if his transition is a bit more mundane, that’s OK, too.

Either way, it’s probably time to find out what type of NHLer this junior-hockey phenom becomes.

“You gotta adapt,” Domi said. “There’s a lot of great junior players that don’t end up playing in the NHL. You don’t want to be one of those guys. You gotta make sure you adapt on the fly.

“Obviously, Coach (Dave) Tippett has certain expectations that he holds his players to and if you don’t uphold that, then you’re not going to cut it. You gotta make sure you’re doing everything you can to fit in.”

Domi is likely to debut in the NHL this coming season; General Manager Don Maloney has already said he’d be surprised if the 20-year-old didn’t warrant a roster spot during training camp.

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And after playing four seasons with the Knights, two of which came after he was selected 12th overall by Arizona in 2013, the timing seems right for Domi to advance to the Coyotes.

He leaves juniors without a Memorial Cup championship on his resume but with a slew of other accomplishments: two Ontario Hockey League titles, 126 goals and 331 points in 244 regular-season games and the Knights’ captaincy for his final season.

“It was the best four years of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Domi said. “I enjoyed every second of it.”

Sending Domi back to juniors — not rushing his development — each of the past two years looks like the right call.

To management, Domi seemed to be trying to do too much during his first training camp. Last fall, his play without the puck gave the brain trust pause.

“Now this is not all new and shiny and bright,” Maloney said. “There’s no more of this, ‘OK, everything’s great and wonderful.’ It’s, ‘I gotta make this team, and this is my team. This is where I’m staying, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to stay.’ It’ll be fun to see him.”

Expectations should be kept in check, though, if Domi lands a job; even if he merits top-six minutes, it’ll be fair to remember his rookie status.

But, then again, maybe the whiz kid will dazzle.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

“Hopefully I can go onto bigger and better things in Arizona,” Domi said, “and bring home a Cup.”

Reach The Heat Index at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

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