Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and play at Mullett Arena in Tempe. They first played at America West Arena (now Footprint Center) in downtown Phoenix from 1996 to 2003 and then played at Glendale's Gila River Arena (now Desert Diamond Arena) from 2003 to 2022.
| Arizona Coyotes | |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 Arizona Coyotes season | |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 1972 |
| History | Winnipeg Jets 1972–1979 (WHA) 1979–1996 (NHL) Phoenix Coyotes 1996–2014 Arizona Coyotes 2014–present |
| Home arena | Mullett Arena |
| City | Tempe, Arizona |
| Team colors | Brick red, sand, purple, sienna, forest green, process black |
| Media | Scripps Sports KMVP Arizona Sports 98.7 FM |
| Owner(s) | Alex Meruelo |
| General manager | Bill Armstrong |
| Head coach | Andre Tourigny |
| Captain | Vacant |
| Minor league affiliates | Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) |
| Stanley Cups | 0 |
| Conference championships | 0 |
| Presidents' Trophy | 0 |
| Division championships | 1 (2011–12) |
| Official website | www |
Founded on December 27, 1971, as the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA), they were one of four franchises absorbed into the NHL after the WHA had ceased operations, joining on June 22, 1979. The Jets moved to Phoenix on July 1, 1996, and were renamed the Phoenix Coyotes. The franchise name changed to the Arizona Coyotes on June 27, 2014. Alex Meruelo became the majority owner on July 29, 2019.
The team was unstable under earlier ownership. The NHL took over the Phoenix Coyotes franchise in 2009, when then-owner Jerry Moyes gave up the team after filing for bankruptcy. The NHL maintained control of the franchise until 2013 when they found new ownership willing to keep it in Arizona. Despite a difficult working relationship with the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, the Coyotes were able to secure a year-to-year arrangement to play in the facility until the end of the 2021–22 season.