Coyotes to Terminate Brule's Contract

After failing to accept an assignment to the American Hockey League, forward Gilbert Brule's career with the Coyotes, and in the NHL, appears to be nearing an end. Brule was assigned to Portland, the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, Sunday and was suspended Monday by the team once he didn't report.

"It's pretty simple," Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said. "He decided that he didn't want to live out of a suitcase anymore, was sick of living at hotels, and told me he was going to quit hockey, maybe become a firefighter. So what we do procedurally is we suspended him and unless he has a change of heart very, very quickly, we'll go through the procedure of terminating his contract."

Brule signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes in November. He was in training camp on a professional tryout and once he was cut, he accepted a professional tryout with the Portland Pirates. Before signing with the Coyotes, Brule was on the brink of continuing his career in the Kontinental Hockey League but changed his mind to remain stateside. But he could be without an NHL contract very soon.

"I think it's pretty evident that that's the direction this is trending," Maloney said. "This is the third time this is happened with Gilbert. Out of training camp, he took some time. Early in the season he took some time. Obviously, he's got a lot of other things in his life and that's fine. That's what makes this world great."

A former first-round draft pick, he was taken sixth overall in 2005 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brule, who turns 27 Wednesday, is one game shy of 300. He's accrued 43 goals and 95 points.

"I think it is surprising," Maloney said. "He's still a relatively young player, but hey listen, even though he's young, he's been playing pro hockey for a long time. I think he's just tired of doing what he's doing, obviously. Good luck, God speed and move on."

This was Brule's second stint with the Coyotes. He was with the team in 2011-12 when he had five goals and 14 points in 33 games and also chipped in two goals and an assist in 12 playoff games. He was held pointless in three games this season with the Coyotes. But Maloney said there are no hard feelings.

"I did mention it's hard to make the kind of money he's making in the real world, but he'll find that out pretty quick," Maloney said. "But on the other hand, now he can get on with his real life. This is all just a bubble to me and once this is over with, now he can hopefully get his life in the direction he wants to take it."