4 Former Chicago Mission Players' Paths to the Coyotes – Hockey Writers – Arizona Coyotes

Nick Schmaltz, Christian Dvorak, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Christian Fischer all grew up playing for the Chicago Mission youth ice hockey club. Today, Mission is considered one of the best AAA ice hockey clubs in the nation. The quartet played for the Arizona Coyotes for two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20) before going their separate ways. Here's how this group met in the desert.

The Schmaltz and Dvorak Connection

The chemistry between frontmen Schmaltz and Dvorak dates back to their days as Mission partners. Playing for Chicago's 13u AAA team in 2009, in 31 games Dvorak led the team in points (54). Who was behind him in scoring? Schmaltz with 50. The two played with Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander the following season, and the three combined for 140 points in 77 games. Born within weeks of each other in 1996, the duo of Schmaltz and Dvorak ended up paired on the same row in Arizona. However, that wouldn't have been possible without the trade that brought the former teammates back together.

Schmaltz was drafted 20th overall in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. In his third season in Chicago, he was traded to the Coyotes for forwards Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini. Dvorak was also drafted the same year as Schmaltz but was selected in the second round by Arizona.

Dvorak commented on being reunited with Schmaltz: “I played with Schmaltzy for a while back then with The Mission, four or five years,” Dvorak said. “You don't think that could happen again, so it's crazy that we're back together,” (from 'Christian Dvorak, Nick Schmaltz rekindling childhood chemistry with Coyotes,' AthleticOctober 25, 2019).

Their connection continued to shine in the NHL. In the 2019-2020 season, Arizona head coach Rick Tocchet paired wing Conor Garland with Schmaltz and Dvorak, and that lineup helped the Coyotes reach the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons: Garland scored a team-best 22 goals, Schmaltz he was a team player. team leader in assists (34) and points (45), and Dvorak set career bests in goals (22) and points (38). The line features a mixed bag of player types: 200-yard player (Dvorak), player (Schmaltz), and sniper (Garland).

Arizona's general manager, John Chayka, talked about the kids' contact bonus: “Sure, like we talked about building a team here,” Chayka said. “One of the competitive advantages is that, if you can find people who grow together and obviously care about each other and run the process together, ​​​​​​​​​it allows for synergies and more opportunities to build a team.”

Vinnie Hinostroza

Hinostroza is two years older than Schmaltz and Dvorak and never played at the same level as them. However, he played with Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman of the Mission. In their last season together, in 2009, they combined for 78 points in 72 games. After their time in Chicago ended, their hometown team (the Blackhawks) drafted them. Both played for the Blackhawks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceDogs, and were eventually drafted into the NHL. However, they traded within eight months of each other in 2018, ending their long-standing relationship.

The 5-foot-10, 183-pound forward shared his thoughts on being traded to Arizona: “When I got that call,” Hinostroza said, “I wasn't expecting (the trade), but I've been talking to Fischer, Dvorak, and Pánik all year, and they had nothing but good things to say here. It was a relief, actually, because growing up in Chicago and playing is so stressful.”

In addition to Richard Pánik, another former Blackhawks Hinostroza played with in Arizona included goaltender Anti Raanta, defensemen Jordan Oesterle and Niklas Hjalmarsson, and forwards Nick Cousins ​​​​and Schmaltz, and the Chicago connection continued to build chemistry.

In his first season in Arizona (2018-19), Hinostroza set career highs in games played (72), goals (16), assists (23), and points (39). That same season, on March 19, 2019, against the Anaheim Ducks, he scored his first hat trick. Of course, his childhood friend Fischer assisted on his third goal with one minute left in the game.

Christian Fischer

The Mission's ability to produce quality players continued when Fischer was drafted in the second round by the Coyotes in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Like other Mission players, the forward played with another NHL draft pick, center Tanner Laczynski. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, where he had a brief stint in the NHL. Both played for Chicago's 13u AAA team in 2010, scoring a combined 81 points in 60 games.

Fischer commented on his reaction to being drafted by Arizona: “I was very happy when I was drafted by the Coyotes because I knew D-Vo (Dvorak) was going to be in my first development camp, and he was a friend of mine,” Fischer said. “Then Vinnie was sold, then Schmaltzy. I think everyone's used to it by now, but it's crazy when you think about it: four boys from the Mission playing for the same NHL team,” (from 'Chicago guys' communication plays a key role in Coyotes' future,' AthleticSeptember 27, 2019).

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound winger's best statistical season came in his second year in the NHL (2017-18). He scored 15 goals and 33 points in 79 games. Five years later, while still playing in Arizona, he scored the first two goals in Coyotes history at Mullett Arena in the franchise's first game in their new temporary home.

Where Are These 4 Players Today?

The only player who is a Coyote today is Schmaltz, with 269 points in 344 games. The North Dakota product has been a reliable option at center or right side on the Coyotes' starting lineup and first power play unit. He will be a key part of Utah's first season.

Related: Coyotes Core Plays Key Role in Rebuild

Dvorak was traded in the 2021 offseason when Arizona overhauled its roster in a complete rebuild. The former London Knights player of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) was traded on September 1, 2021, to the Montreal Canadiens for a 2022 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound forward played more than 300 games for the Coyotes, scoring 146 points.

Hinostroza has spent time in the NHL and AHL since leaving Arizona after the 2019-20 NHL season. The Notre Dame product played for the Blackhawks, Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In his career of 374 games, he has 151 points.

After seven seasons in Arizona, Fischer played his first season with the Detroit Red Wings. In nearly 400 games played as a Coyote, he scored 111 points.

Mission Production Talent for the NHL

Seven former Mission skaters made the opening night lineup this season. Those not mentioned here include Carolina Hurricanes forward Jack Drury and Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlassic. Hartman, Fischer, Dvorak, Schmaltz, and Nylander account for the other five players. In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, four former Mission players were drafted. Among them was forward Gabriel Perreault who was drafted in the first round by the New York Rangers. The Mission continues to develop tomorrow's professionals.