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Arizona Coyotes Relocate AHL Franchise To Tucson

By Jason Harrison |
Jan 2, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes center Laurent Dauphin (76) and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera (2) battle for the puck during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes center Laurent Dauphin (76) and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera (2) battle for the puck during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes cleared the final hurdle to relocating their AHL franchise to Tucson when the Tucson City Council voted unanimously to approve their lease agreement.

The Arizona Coyotes and their fans have often been told that hockey doesn’t work in the desert.

It not only works, it’s growing leaps and bounds.

One year after seeing Arizona State play their inaugural season in Division 1 in NCAA hockey, the Yotes have expanded their own reach in the state by securing relocation of the Springfield Falcons to Tucson to play at the Tucson Convention Center.

The franchise has already launched a “Name The Team” campaign to allow fans to put their stamp on their new AHL club.

Here’s a portion of the Arizona Coyotes’ press release:

The Coyotes’ top farm team will play in the AHL’s Pacific Division. In 2015-16, the Pacific Division featured the AHL affiliates of the Anaheim Ducks (San Diego Gulls), Calgary Flames (Stockton Heat), Colorado Avalanche (San Antonio Rampage), Dallas Stars (Texas Stars), Edmonton Oilers (Bakersfield Condors), Los Angeles Kings (Ontario Reign) and San Jose Sharks (San Jose Barracuda).

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“We are absolutely thrilled to relocate our AHL team to Tucson,” said Coyotes’ President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc. “The Coyotes were part of the initial discussion to form a Pacific Division in the AHL but we were unable to secure a franchise prior to last season. We are extremely excited and proud to bring AHL hockey to a first class city like Tucson. This further proves that the Coyotes ownership group is committed to Arizona and to growing the Coyotes brand and the great game of hockey in our state.”

Arizona Coyotes’ President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc mentioning the team’s attempt to secure an AHL franchise is an interesting one.

At a time when the chorus of naysayers and relocation whisperers have hardly ceased thanks to the ongoing bumbling of the City of Glendale, it’s quite clear that IceArizona are as committed to this region as they could possibly be.

As Dylan Strome, Christian Dvorak, Conor Garland, and more young prospects make their pilgrimage to Glendale this summer and fall to attempt to secure a roster spot on the NHL club, fans in Tucson and the Phoenix area both can be excited knowing that any kids who don’t make it are still within travel distance if you want to catch them live.

Next: The Coyotes Should Draft Jakob Chychrun With The 7th Pick

It is unfortunate that the fans in Springfield had to lose their team. We know how taxing relocation talk can be, and though our team has remained theirs did not.

Objectively, though, this is the best thing for the Arizona Coyotes and their prospects.

Now what are we gonna name this team?

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