Imama makes most of first NHL games

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It was quite a weekend for former Saint John Sea Dogs forward Boko Imama.

After spending most of the past five seasons in the American Hockey League, Imama finally made his NHL debut on Friday, taking five shifts and playing 4:04 for the Arizona Coyotes in their 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Take your lap, @bokojr. 👏

Congratulations on making your @NHL debut, Imama! pic.twitter.com/zzig3aeqgO

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 23, 2022

On Saturday, the 25-year-old saw a bit more ice time (5:42) and made the most of it, netting his first NHL goal. The Coyotes lost the game 5-4 in overtime to the St. Louis Blues.

FIRST @NHL GOAL FOR @bokojr 🚨 pic.twitter.com/35xTo0JB24

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 24, 2022

Boko Imama's father (Bokondij Imama), mother (Kumbia Kandolo), and 2 of his 4 sisters (Alice & Bandeja Imama) were at Gila River Arena to watch him score his 1st NHL goal tonight.
The building was electric after the goal & that emotion seemed to spark the Coyotes' 3-goal rally. pic.twitter.com/yL5Sn4h5NA

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) April 24, 2022

The Montreal native had appeared in 54 AHL games with the Tucson Roadrunners this season, recording five goals and seven assists.

Imama making his NHL debut and picking up his first goal is certainly one of the season's feel good stories after he was the victim of a racist gesture earlier this year in the AHL.

The Coyotes have three regular season games remaining, visiting Minnesota and Dallas before returning home to face Nashville in their final game in Glendale.

Imama, who scored 41 goals with the Sea Dogs in 2016-17, becomes the seventh member of the 2017 President Cup championship squad to skate in an NHL game, joining Joe Veleno, Matthew Highmore, Julien Gauthier, Mathieu Joseph, Jakub Zboril and Thomas Chabot.