Coyotes History Throwback, Vol II: Second Season
Phoenix Coyotes left wing Rob Klinkhammer (36) takes the ice prior to the game Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The second season for the new Phoenix Coyotes was pretty much like the first.
The team wound up with 82 points, one less than their premier year. They had a new coach, Jim Schoenfeld, with a familiar assistant coach- by the name of John Tortorello.
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This team also made the playoffs, finishing fourth in the Central Division (the team remained in this division based on Winnipeg’s prior divisional alignment), and sixth in the Western Conference.
The drama with America West Arena not meeting the needs for NHL hockey continued this year. The Coyotes were “less than thrilled” with AWA, according to Paul Giblin of the Mesa Tribune, and the team had “suggested major renovations.” There were also discussions about leaving for a proposed East Valley domed complex. The Suns and Coyotes studied many several proposals to renovate the arena, but at least for 97-98 season, that was not to happen.
Yes, those obstructed view seats- while discounted heavily- were starting to irritate the loyal Coyote fans who attended games in those “cheap seats”, as I called them. I can recall myself going to the games in those seats with a 2/3 view of the rink. I got so irritated when I was following the play, and then needed to switch my view to the large overhead screen to see what transpired! I felt as if I was at the game, but then at home as well watching it, without my easy chair and cheap snacks.
By February ’98, the Coyotes had decided- they “couldn’t commit to moving out of downtown” Phoenix, and entered into plans to build a multipurpose stadium facility with the Cardinals, according to Kent Somers of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC.
The Coyotes’ “preference is to remain at America West Arena.”, but Somers wrote that “contrary to the opinions of some, that doesn’t damage the Cardinals’ chances of getting a new facility built.” Cardinals VP, Michael Bidwell: “We certainly don’t view it as a setback.” ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/6/1998.
The 97-98 Yotes team was like a summer TV show rerun- they made the playoffs again, only to lose in six games to the eventual Stanley Cup champ Red Wings. Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick were the top two forwards on the team, but they both fell off their numbers from 96-97 by a combined 17 goals and 16 assists.
The one memorable event during the season was Mike Gartner reaching the 700 goal plateau. He accomplished this on December 14th, in a 3-3 tie home game against Detroit. Gartner joined quite an elite group of 700 or more goal scorers, including Wayne Gretsky, Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne, and Phil Esposito.
Keep checking back with us, as we continue our journey through Coyotes history! Have something you want to let us know about? We encourage your input.