Arizona Coyotes 20 Years Of Hockey In Arizona

The Arizona Coyotes are close to celebrating 20 years in the Valley, and the below info graph, courtesy of Rich Nairn, Vice President of Communications for the Coyotes puts it all into perspective.

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When I moved to the Phoenix area in 1974 from hockey rich Chicago, I yearned to follow hockey here on a local level. At the time the Phoenix Roadrunners were playing in the Western Hockey League at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The hockey was exciting, and I was able to actually see The Golden Jet, Bobby Hull play in person. Imagine my thrill.

With the NHL coming to Arizona in 1996, things got really interesting. The team had to play in an arena set up for NBA basketball, with the ice surface being set more to one end of the arena due to the ice-making equipment configuration.

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Since their inception, the Arizona Coyotes have had many setbacks and challenges to become a successful franchise, irrespective of their on ice performance. Until two years ago when IceArizona took over ownership of the team, the question of whether the team would remain in Arizona was up in the air. Owners filing bankruptcy, others rumored to buy the team, had to have an effect on the team’s personal lives, as well as their professional lives.

Now that new ownership is in place, there are yet other issues at hand. Like where will they play after their current two-year lease agreement with the City of Glendale expires? After the city abruptly cancelled the lease with the Arizona Coyotes, the kids aren’t playing well in the sandbox. There’s been speculation as to where the team may call home if it’s not at Gila River arena, and many options are available.

The main concern is the East valley fans wanting to avoid the long commute to the West valley to watch a NHL hockey game. They may get their way if the team considers options such as to possibly play in a newly built multi-purpose arena to house both the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, and the Arizona Coyotes as well. It would be situated in downtown Phoenix, which would satisfy the east and west fans, with its central location.

Still, there are signs this franchise is done with controversy, and ownership hassles, and rumors of moving out of state. They are directing their attention to growing the sport of hockey in Arizona. They have succeeded in a couple of different fronts in that endeavor. Per the graph USA Hockey membership has risen 51% during 2014-15. To go along with that, social media engagement has gone up a whopping 72%. Instagram followers has grown by 127%. The Coyotes hockey development program visited 80 schools, and introduced 32,000 kids to the sport of hockey. That’s digging deep into the community to get results.

Some say this isn’t a hockey town, but these numbers debate that theory.

When you have a good quality Head Coach in Dave Tippett, who is in his sixth year here, you are going to experience success. Last season was a disaster, and Tippett even pondered quitting, but it’s not in his DNA. He has taken the challenge of developing young prospects like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Brendan Perlini, Christian Dvorak, and second-year players Tobias Rieder and Connor Murphy to task. So far this new season there are some optimistic attitudes developing.

Then you have a team captain in Shane Doan, who just turned 39 the day after the first game of the season. He is in his 20^th year playing in the NHL, and his 12^th as captain of the team. He was recently voted the most popular sports figure in the valley, and with good reason. He’s a winner, and a leader not only on the ice, but also off the ice getting involved with the team’s charity organizations. They don’t come much better than ‘Doaner.’

This team is doing things right now, and it shows. They unveiled new team uniforms prior to the 2015-16 season to spark more interest in the team. And, the youth hockey participation is over the top. That has resulted in the future first draft pick next season being none other than Auston Matthews. Auston is a home grown product, being from right here in Scottsdale, Arizona.

So, start howling Arizona, you’ve got one heck of a hockey team. If you don’t believe me go out see a game sometime, you’ll be hooked into attending more and more.

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