Coyotes forced to defend themselves

GLENDALE | For the next three seasons, the Arizona Coyotes will play their home games in a 5,000-seat college arena. A project that raises doubts in the four corners of the NHL, but that the organization defends tooth and nail, while waiting to see if its amphitheater project in Tempe will materialize.

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While the flame of seeing National League hockey revive in Quebec City wavers, the circuit continues to hold stubbornly to the Arizona market.

It will be the smallest arena for an NHL team since the Philadelphia Quakers played in a 4,000-seat building during the 1930-1931 season.

At the end of this season, it will be the end of the tumultuous lease between the Coyotes and the City of Glendale (northwest of Phoenix). The $1.7 billion megaproject in Tempe (east of Phoenix), which would include a 16,000-seat arena, restaurants, shops, hotels and condos, still hasn’t been finalized. obtained the approval of the city council. The team hopes that will be the case by the summer.

Illustration courtesy Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes are currently trying to get plans approved for their megaproject development in Tempe, which would include their future 16,000-seat amphitheater.

Not home masters

With no other viable options nearby for future campaigns, the Coyotes turned to Arizona State University in Tempe, which is building a new arena for its Sun Devils.

In this arena currently under construction, they will not be the main tenants. The Sun Devils will play 24 home games next season. A simple glance at their calendar shows that they will occupy several weekends, including five in a row, from December 30 to January 28. That narrows the choice of gifts for the Coyotes.

Recoil needed

The two organizations will share the premises and the Coyotes must ensure the construction, at a cost of $20 million, of an annex for their locker rooms and other premises in order to comply with the requirements of the NHL. An annex which should not be completed before December and which will force the team into a long exile on the road at the start of the season.

Illustration courtesy Arizona Coyotes

“To become what we can become with our long-term project in Tempe, we have to accept a temporary step back,” said Shane Doan in an interview with The newspaperin Glendale, during weekend matches.

Appointed head of hockey development for the team in January 2021, after 21 seasons as a player in the organization, Doan says he is aware that the particular situation will be ridiculed.

“I am not blind or stupid. I know it will be different, but watching a game in this arena will be an experience like no other in the league. Of course, we understand that this is a situation that will create a commotion,” he added.

Concerned players

Obviously, many within the Bettman circuit, whether managers or players, fear significant economic losses. While the Players’ Association hasn’t responded to our interview requests, some agents are skeptical about the Coyotes’ temporary home, to say the least.

“I am told that this is a subject that is starting to get people talking a lot in the locker room. The guys wonder why a 5000 seat arena and who will pay at the end of the line. If we share the income, why don’t we have any decision-making power? It’s starting to talk a lot, ”said Erik Lupien.

“The echoes I have are that there are guys who don’t want to go play there. They don’t want to be traded to Arizona or signed as free agents if they are to play in a university arena, ”added Philippe Lecavalier, who however hastened to bring a downside.

“I don’t think anyone is on purpose to be in this situation. There are smart people working in the NHL who are there for the good of the league. It’s easy to make our stage managers. Is that my business? Nope ! Does it suit the players? Nope ! But maybe in the short term it really is the best solution. »

Eyebrow-raising prices

Last Thursday, the Coyotes unveiled their ticket price range for their first campaign at their controversial arena.

The least expensive season ticket will sell for $3,649, an average of $89 per game. The most expensive will be available for $14,350, or an average of $350 per match. Nothing to ensure that the 5000 seats are filled.

In the meantime, the Coyotes can only hope for a positive outcome in Tempe regarding their amphitheater project which would open its doors in 2025. Already, some obstacles stand in the way. Phoenix airport, located about ten minutes from Tempe, has come out against the project since it estimates that the construction phase would result in losses of $21.5 million per year in addition to impacting air traffic. .

According to various echoes on the spot, the municipal council would be divided on the project. The City has let it be known that it will not comment on the file until its conclusion.

A small arena

Illustration courtesy Arizona State University

The Arizona Coyotes will play their next three seasons at Arizona State University’s future arena. With its 5,000 seats, it would be the second smallest amphitheater in history for an NHL team and certainly the smallest in the contemporary era.

By taking up residence in a 5,000-seat arena for the next three seasons, the Arizona Coyotes will find themselves in an unprecedented situation for the NHL. Here is the portrait of their temporary residence in a few figures.

Crowds at Coyotes games since their Arizona debut:

In Phoenix