- 2012
- 2014
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Coyotes Bankrupt
Due to the team’s bankruptcy status since 2009 and the annual revenue lost each year, the NHL planned to move the Coyotes should a deal with the city for a new lease and new ownership not be decided by July 2, 2013. The plan was to move the franchise to a new city, likely Seattle. On July 2, 2013, by ... -
New Name “Arizona Coyotes”
On January 29, 2014, the new ownership group announced that the team would change its name to the “Arizona Coyotes” for the 2014–15 season. According to Coyotes President Anthony LeBlanc, the change is being made to reflect that the team is no longer located within Phoenix city limits and to include all hockey fans in the state of Arizona. Aside ...
History of the Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Coyotes were founded as an expansion franchise in 1972 by Peter and Walter Bushnell, who owned both Phoenix-area minor league teams then. Since then, they have gone through several name changes and ownership groups before settling on their current name before the 2014–15 season.
The Coyotes have had some success throughout history but never won a Stanley Cup championship. In 2012 they made it all way to the conference finals, where they lost 4–1 against eventual champions Los Angeles Kings. Despite this loss, many fans fondly remember when Shane Doan led his squad into post-season for four consecutive years from 2011 - 2015, which is still an NHL record for the longest streak without winning a title by any team since the 1967 expansion draft.
In recent seasons however, things haven’t been going so well, with them missing playoffs three out of the last four years leading up 2019/2020 campaign, which ended abruptly due COVID pandemic. As a result, the organization decided to make significant changes firing long-time general manager Don Maloney and head coach Rick Tocchet and replacing them with Bill Armstrong and former St Louis Blues bench boss Dave Tippett respectively. With the new leadership place, there is optimism around Gila River Arena that maybe next year will finally bring playoff glory back desert once again!
Established
1972
City
Winnipeg – Phoenix
League History
1979 – Present / National Hockey League
1972 – 1979 / World Hockey Association
Team History
2014 – Present / Arizona Coyotes
1996 – 2013 / Phoenix Coyotes
1972 – 1996 / Winnipeg Jets
Nickname
Coyotes – The Arizona Coyotes have been a part of the National Hockey League (NHL) since 1996, and their nickname has become an iconic symbol for hockey fans in the state. But where did this unique name come from? Let’s take a look at the origins of the Arizona Coyotes nickname!
When it was first announced that Phoenix would be getting an NHL team, there was much excitement among sports fans in Arizona. As part of this process, they needed to develop a catchy name for their new team that would capture both local prides and reflects on its home state's rich history. After months of brainstorming by members of both local government and private citizens alike, “Coyotes” emerged as one popular choice due to its connection with Native American culture in Arizona. The coyote is seen as a wise yet powerful animal by many tribes across North America, thus making it a perfect fit for a professional hockey franchise located within the desert Southwest region!
In addition to representing cultural heritage through the mascot selection process itself – logo design also drew inspiration from traditional symbols used throughout native communities living near the area today: most notably the sun-shaped pattern, which appears prominently center ice during games played at Gila River Arena (home arena). This imagery reminds us all how important it is to preserve our past while embracing future opportunities presented to us each day…and perhaps even inspiring some great plays along the way too!
Overall then, we can see why ‘Coyotes' became such a popular choice when naming a new NHL franchise based out of Phoenix back in 1996; not only does the moniker honor indigenous people who lived here long before Europeans arrived, but it also represents the strength and courage found amongst those same individuals still living nearby today too - making them perfect emblem modern sport like hockey should be proud wear proudly into future generations come!
Championship
Stanley Cups 0
Avco Cup 0
1979, 1978, 1976
Arena
2014 – Present / Gila River Arena
2006 – 2014 / Jobing.com Arena
2003 – 2005 / Glendale Arena
1996 – 2003 / America West Arena
*Winnipeg*
1972 – 1996 / Winnipeg Arena
Owner
2019 - Present / Alex Meruelo
2013 – 2019/ IceArizona
2009 – 2013 / National Hockey League
2006 – 2009 / Wayne Gretzky and Jerry Moyes
2001 – 2006 / Steve Ellman, Wayne Gretzky, and Jerry Moyes
1998 – 2001 / Richard Burke
1996 – 1998 / Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke
1979 – 1996 / Barry Shenkarow
1972 – 1979 / Ben Hatskin
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
19 / Shane Doan
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history