Playing hockey in the desert has never been an easy concept to explain to people who aren’t fans of the Arizona Coyotes. How could a sport that involves ice, function in a place where it reaches 120 degrees in the summer?
The Arizona Coyotes play hockey in a location not known for having a temperate climate.
Arizona is at its hottest between the months of May and September, where the average temperature is 100+ degrees.
Don’t be mistaken, it’s the other 7 months that are what attract the tourists. Arizona is an offseason hot spot for many athletes and an enjoyable away game destination for many NHL teams.
For other teams, it’s during much of the regular season that winter consumes them.
For teams in cities like Toronto and Buffalo, who are known for their harsh winters; coming from below freezing temps, to a sunny and 70 degrees is a treat. Arizona is an escape from that bitter cold, and commonly takes many players by surprise.
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As we grow closer to the beginning of training camp for the Arizona Coyotes and soon the 2016-17 season, we see new players arrive to the desert as well as established players return.
We sit and wait, excited to see what they think of the Grand Canyon State and its hockey.
Arizona is a diamond in the rough during the NHL season.
5 of the 6 coldest cities in the NHL are in Canada, where hockey is the biggest sport around. In some cases games are rescheduled due to snow storms and unsafe traveling conditions.
Here in Arizona, hockey runs uninterrupted through the winter; except to some of the residential fans who see a noticeable difference in crowd size when the snow birds arrive. It’s not just the fans that love traveling to Arizona, it’s also the players.
For some players growing up playing pond hockey in their backyard was all they knew.
Arizona is a culture shock; no snow, sun always shining, and the low is about 40 degrees give or take. For players like Max Domi who is from Winnipeg, it was easy to adapt and grow attached here.
He recently told SportsNet that he “would be completely satisfied to spend the rest of my career in Arizona, I love it there. The people are outstanding, its easy living, healthy lifestyle.”
Max Domi over the summer purchased a house of his own in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Captain, Shane Doan is another example; he’s lived in the desert for two decades. He has raised a family here, and plans on staying here even after retiring.
New players to the Valley like Alex Goligoski are excited to play here.
When touring Arizona, Goligoski said “…it felt like home…” Former Coyotes left winger, Ray Whitney calls Scottsdale home with his family. As for vacation, Chicago Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews spent some of his off season up in the red mountains of Sedona.
Arizona is a desirable place to be year round and it’s easy to make a home here.
With a team that focuses strictly on making every player apart of the pack and positively strengthening the hockey name in Arizona; its easy to settle in.
With no snow, warm weather, fun night life and welcoming people, Arizona fits the mold for a great place to house hockey.
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It’s also not a bad idea to escape the 100-degree heat by sitting in a freezer for a couple hours.
The critics can keep saying that hockey doesn’t belong in the desert, but it seems to be the perfect home.