Who are these people who travel from all areas of the Valley of the Sun to watch Arizona Coyotes hockey?
Some of them (myself included) have been hockey fans for years, and moved here from the Midwest, where we followed our favorite NHL team back there.
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Some of them are natives (yes there are some here) who have been invited by friends and relatives to see an Arizona Coyotes game, and were forever hooked on watching the endless excitement, and hard-hitting action that the NHL provides on a regular basis.
Then, there are others who come to see the visiting team. This is a pet-peeve of mine when band-wagon fans who live here, work here, and raise their families here decide that they are going to abandon the local team and support the team they followed before re-locating here.
There are times where the visiting team’s fans may equal or exceed the Arizona Coyotes fans attending a game at Gila River Arena.
I had first hand experience witnessing this on a regular basis because as soon as the then named Glendale Arena was built, a buddy of mine and myself applied for guest services jobs at the new arena. We were at first discouraged applying when we noticed the line for applying numbered 300-400 applicants.
Not to be discouraged we still applied, and were hired. We both acquired permanent lower bowl positions, which meant we were required to attend every home game. Others had assignments at various locations, but if you had this assignment you were assured of seeing all the home games and playoff games, while getting paid to do so!
Puck Prose
As a guest service rep (glorified name for an usher) we were able to see fans on a regular basis, and establish a relationship with them, sharing their hockey knowledge and experiences through the years when they attended an Arizona Coyotes game.
Many are from back east, and most are knowledgeable of the game’s rules and strategy. Others are not, and I would always try to educate them so as to understand how to follow the game, and not just show up or be a cheerleader.
What amazed me the most was our Canadian fans who would trek down from Canada during the winter to get some relief from the severe winters up there. They could take in a Calgary Flames game, or an Edmonton game since most of them lived in western Canada.
They would come up to me and ask, “Why don’t you have a sellout every game, like we do?” My only reply would be hockey is your national sport, and here in the states it’s just not like that. They would also be appreciative of our lower ticket prices to see a game.
To analyze an Arizona Coyote fan is to know they are:
- Loyal –(except the fans still supporting their teams from back home)
- Resilient – how many other NHL cities have had to endure constant rumors of their team packing up in the middle of the night and re-locating? It’s been like this the entire time since the NHL took over the operations of the team, keeping it afloat for four years, until 2013.
- Patient – the team has not been to the Stanley Cup finals, nor have they won a Cup since they arrived here in the Valley in 1995. Also: being patient with the ownership merry-go-round wondering if they would ever really get a viable ownership group in place to run the team, and not just exist.
- Hopeful – they realize they don’t have a team with a superstar like a Crosby, Kane, Toews, Perry, Stamkos, but support the “pack” mentality that if every team member plays to help the team succeed, it brings positive results.
This coming season, the Arizona Coyotes need your support to help this team become a playoff contending team. By showing up, and cheering on the home team, the players become more determined to win games for their fans.
Be excited that young prospects like Anthony Duclair, and Max Domi will be bringing their youthful exuberance to the Arizona Coyotes. With the mixture of other developing young players this team could be something special.
And, you wouldn’t want to miss that, right?
Next: Arizona Coyotes Aren't Going Anywhere
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