Howlin' Hockey - A Phoenix Coyotes blog

Coyotes close out their first half at home tomorrow night as they welcome Ottawa to Jobing.com Arena. Want to check out the action from some of the best seats in the house? Do you want to pay full price? Didn’t think so. Good news – Now thanks to “Pick Your Price” inventory from our partners @ TiqIQ you can do exactly that! Make an offer of $50ea on 2 “Club Red” tickets on center ice and you can save over $75 off the total price of each ticket + No Service or Shipping Fees!

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Yesterday, a great man, father, and businessman was laid to rest. Michael Stewart Wente, 56, passed away on Jan 17th 2012. His occupation was Chief Investment Officer for Northern Trust Arizona. Michael had an MBA in Finance from Arizona State University and a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Michigan State University. He was s a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Michael is past president and a current member of the Phoenix CFA Society. Michael was currently a member of the Arizona State University Investment Committee.

If you asked Mike what he did, he would tell you that he was a father to Jon, Stewart, and daughter Erin. He would tell you he is an avid golfer and hockey fan. He plays hockey. He was a fixture at Coyote games for many years. He played every Sunday with a group of friends. He looked forward to summer when his kids were out of college so he could play with them. He was the manager of the Arizona Girls Youth Hockey Association.

My family feels blessed to have met Mike and his children. His void in the community and especially the hockey community will be felt.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in his name to the University of Vermont’s Women’s Hockey at 97 Spear Street Burlington, VT 05405 or Central Arizona College Baseball- Vaquero Foundation at 8470 N. Overfield Road Coolidge, AZ 85128.

Mike Smith stopped 38 of 39 shots this afternoon as the Coyotes beat the Avs in a MLK day matinee on Kids Day. The focus will be on Shane Doan Boyd Gordon each getting two goals, but without Smith in the net, the game would have been a lot closer. Doan reverted back to his former self by getting two goals before the end of the second period and then hit a post. The Shane Doan Hat Trick. Should be a registered trademark. Eleven players picked up points. Six had two or more points. Coach Tippett asked for more contribution from each player and this team needed second line scoring. Tonight, you got it. Goals by Gilbert Brule, Boyd Gordon. Points by Chipchura, Morris, Pyatt, Summers. Boyd also got his 100th career point. Chris Summers got his first NHL point. Rusty Klesla got a goal.

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As reported by Cecelia Chan in the Arizona Republic Jan 13, 2012,

“Coyotes still in limbo. The mayor questioned how the city could begin its budget process without knowing the fate of the Phoenix Coyotes. The city is trying to find a buyer for the financially troubled hockey team. The city manager last summer said the sale should happen last fall, but that didn’t pan out. The city has paid or pledged $50 million for the National Hockey League to manage the team and arena the past two years. Clark said whether the team stays or goes, the city must operate the city-owned arena opened for the team in 2003. For lack of information, Clark suggested $25 million was a reasonable cost figure to use. Scruggs said that expense would have to be built into the upcoming budget.”

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/10/20120110glendale-city-council-takes-hard-look-city-spending.html#ixzz1jabxffsh

Clark is Councilwoman Joyce Clark. Scruggs is the Mayor. An additional player is Councilman Phil Lieberman, who is upset that Clark’s district gets more revenue from the City of Glendale that his district. Mr. Lieberman represents the Cactus district, comprised of Glendale Ave from 43rd Ave to 51st Ave. Ms. Clark has Westgate as part of her district.

I would ask Mr. Lieberman this question.”Who’s district contributes more to the tax basis and quality of life for citizens of Glendale. Yours or Ms. Clark’s.” Let me guess. Westgate, with its retail and restaurants. The Coyotes, with a portion of each ticket sold to the CoG, and the Cardinals. Parking and ticket, concessions, etc all going to Glendale. 43rd ave to 51st Ave has none of those. Not that it is not important and comprised of fine citizens, but I don’t recall ever hearing anyone saying they are planning to go there from the East Valley vs. going to a Coyote game.

Like the expanded 101 and the HOV lane along with three lanes? The Coyotes? Cabela’s? Thank Westgate and the Coyotes. The Cardinals should thank the Coyotes. If they wouldn’t have settled there, none of those things would be there. Just a cotton field. Not much revenue from cotton fields these days.

The Avalanche will visit the Coyotes on Monday in a MLK day matinee, breaking the streak of the Buffalo Sabres the past few years. The Avalanche, 9th in the West (24-20-2 for 50 points) sit 2 places and three points ahead of the Coyotes. A win for Phoenix gets them in solid position to start a mid January run. Points earned now are worth just as much as those in April. It is easier for the team to get the points against a team they should beat than claw and fight for a point against a higher seed team.

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I wanted to thank everyone who has come here looking for some discussion and thoughts on the Coyotes. It is fun writing and seeing your responses. I appreciate the fact you take the time to come here and read, comment, maybe even tweet a story. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wanted to let you know it. Howlin Hockey is part of the Fansided network. For December, this site had more page views than many larger and traditional hockey markets. More than Detroit’s, Colorado, and Calgary. It is due to you. Let’s keep it going. If you have any ideas or things you want to see, let me know. Comment, and I’ll get back to you.

For more news, there are plenty of hockey reporters and writers who have access to the team at all levels. Bob McKenzie, Kevin Allen on the international scene. Make sure you read Puck Daddy, Todd Walsh (WalshTodd on twitter), and Dave Vest of the Coyotes. And make sure you  hit Five For Howling. It makes my day when they link to me. They also have the only coverage of the Sun Dogs in Prescott Valley. Plus, great information on upcoming opponents. It is a must read, especially since they  link back here.

During the second intermission of the Rangers at Maple Leafs, the Hot Stove session included former player, coach, and GM Mike Milbury; Eric Francis, Elliotte Friedman; and Ron McLean. At the end of the segment,  Shane Doan was discussed. Elliotte reported that the Coyotes are trying to sign Shane to an extension if there is new ownership since he is at the end of contract. If they cannot sign him, the Coyotes are prepared to let him leave as an unrestricted free agent. Friedman reiterated that Shane will not be traded this year.

Shane is the heart and soul of this franchise. I cannot think of another player who means more to his team than Shane does.He is a role model to kids and adults. Not only does he deliver devastating body checks, but he plays every shift like it was his first. All out, trying to make the team. Nothing held back. He is a locker room guy. The team appointed him captain years ago and will retire a captain. If the team isn’t going to stay, the first thing that must be done before they move is to put Shane in the Ring Of Honor. He has earned every accolade that has been bestowed upon him.

He does every media request, local and national. After he scored his first career hat trick, he was named first star. The Fox Sports AZ camera followed him down the tunnel as he waited outside Toyota Club. There, as OEL and Smitty were named third and second stars of the game, Shane turned and signed autographs for the kids in Toyota Club. The guy waits 1161 games to get a hat trick and has the presence of mind and the heart to give some kids his autograph. In the moment no one would fault him for taking it in and enjoying all he has worked for, he gives a little of himself.

During his interview with Todd Walsh after being named first star, he thanked the fans. Made sure the fans knew he could hear them and wanted to let them know how much he appreciated it. Shane, it is us who appreciate you. It is us who are lucky to be able to point to you and say “That is our Captain.A great Captain, but a better man.”

If there is new ownership, I hope they do what is right. Give Shane partial ownership of the team. He needs a salary as well (he has to eat, and eat he does) but he should get a portion of the team. Not only does it tie him to the team but also to the area. No charity wants to lose him. He is affectionately referred to as Jesus, or Shane Jesus Doan. For a reason. He is what we and every athlete should strive toward. Charles Barkley said athletes are not role models. I disagree, he never met Shane.

The Phoenix Coyotes  (20-18-7 47 points) came home last night after a tough three game road swing. New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mike Smith played against the Rangers and Red Wings. He was FANTASTIC. He was a wall when one was needed. He is the third defensemen when it comes to clearing the puck or hitting the outlet pass. You cannot dump the puck in against him and think it will wrap around the dasher boards. He goes and gets it and then makes a play with the puck. To say he is unshakeable since his return from injury is an understatement. Smitty has played like it was the playoffs.

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