TEMPE, Ariz. — After news broke that the Arizona Coyotes players were told they would be relocating to Salt Lake City, heartbroken fans took to social media, sharing their anguish alongside their favorite memories of the Yotes here in the Valley.
Players were told they are moving to Salt Lake City in a meeting before their game in Edmonton on Friday, according to a new report from PHNX Sports' Craig Morgan. The news comes just days after news broke that the NHL and the team were exploring a move to Salt Lake City.
A report from Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's John Gambadoro says the official announcement about the sale could come as soon as April 18, but Morgan said it could actually happen a day earlier, on April 17, the day of the Coyotes final game of the season against the Edmonton Oilers. The game will be played at Mullett Arena in Tempe.
Ticket prices are skyrocketing for the game after Friday night's news. The cheapest tickets 12News found were for $950. The most expensive were for $36,987.
Fans aren't only posting about the relocation. They are also taking to social media to discuss plans for the last Arizona Coyotes game of the season. Jordan Schmaltz, brother of Arizona Coyotes forward and alternate team captain Nick Schmaltz, is rallying fans to attend the last game of the season April 17 at Mullett Arena, ticket or not.
"f you don’t have a ticket. F--- it. Just show up. We’re showing the fellas the support they need leaving the sheet post game in the parking lot. Let’s ride," Jordan Schmaltz posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Fans not ready to say goodbye to Coyotes
12News spoke with fans on Saturday, who said they were not ready to see the team leave Arizona.
"I mean my daughter got into the sport because of programs they ran like the Little Howlers," Allen Lee said. "I think what really killed it was plans for the arena in Tempe going south."
Lee and so many others have been fans of the Coyotes for some time. The team, who'd been in the Valley for the past 28 seasons, brought thrills to the ice.
"I remember watching their big playoff run when they beat the Red Wings in the first round," Michael Patterson said.
"I've seen them at Gila River when they used to play there and Mullett, the Mullett was an incredible experience," Lee said.
Now with reports of a possible departure, some feel it'd be the biggest loss yet.
"I think it'll make it more difficult for youth hockey to flourish in Arizona," Shawn Cavalcante said. "Because these young kids, this is where it starts. You take them to a game to see the pros, they interact with the pros, I mean my son has Clayton Keller's signature on his goalie stick and it's hanging in his room. Their influence really helps."
"It's a shame it's leaving when it's just starting to get really big," Michael Patterson said.
Patterson has played ice hockey since he was five years old. He also is a fan of the Coyotes and always has enjoyed watching them in action.
"Watching the games you can really see how they rely on each other and how this is a team game," Patterson said. "It's been a tough few seasons of course, but they have a good foundation for a good rebuild."
Patterson says he wasn't shocked to hear about the possibility of the team moving, but still hoped it was just another rumor.
"It's disappointing because it seemed like we had ownership that wanted to be in the desert and wanted to build something special," he said. "The game is getting big here and it's a shame it's leaving when it's just starting to get really big. We were looking forward to having a good team and we were finally on the upswing. They looked good for the majority of the season, it'll be disappointing to watch the team grow as they make the move."
Some are looking ahead, hoping it's not the end of NHL in Arizona. Others aren't so sure.
"The latest rumors I've heard is they'll reserve the name and maybe have the option to rebuild in a few years," Lee said. "So hopefully we can get that going, we'll see how it goes."
"It surprises me the elected officials in two areas of this state shut them out," Cavalcante said. "I would've liked to see them in Tempe. It's a pro sport in the Valley and to get that back, I don't ever see that happening. If they leave, I don't see a hockey team coming back here."
And whatever the future holds for the team, fans say they'll always be rooting for them, no matter where they go.
"It's disappointing for the fans, it's disappointing for youth teams not being able to go see professional athletes play, teams they've grown up watching," Patterson said. "Not being able to have that anymore, I feel bad for those who enjoy supporting their team year after year even through hard times."
Fans react on social media to Coyotes moving to Salt Lake City
After the news broke that the players were told they were moving to Utah after the season, many fans hopped onto social media to share their memories.
"This future, the enormous growth of hockey here, all of it at stake," a fan named Greg posted on X. "At the expense of a lot of people who have supported this org through every massive dumpster fire of ownership and horrific decision. I'm beyond angry. But devastated for my son & so many kids."
"My heart goes out to the players, coaches, office/game staff and families whose lives are being unexpectedly upended and to my fellow fans who have loved and supported this team (and each other) over these past 28 years," Patrick Lauder posted on X. "We have one last dance together. Let's make it memorable."
"I'm not going to be able to watch my favorite sport anymore let along roof for the Coyotes in Utah," a fan named Richard posted. "The one time we finally get a solid young core in place is when they leave AZ. I can't watch another city get the benefits of our abused patience."
"I have no words," another fan posted. "My favorite thing in existence will be gone in a week. Truly no words."
"I just called my boys into the room and told them the Coyotes are gone," Matt Smith posted. I can't do anything but cry now. We will support our boys in SLC but it will never be quite the same."
Ryan Travis posted videos of his family cheering on the Coyotes over the years and said, "I don't (know) what to say. Pictures speak louder than words. 23 years as an Arizona Coyotes season ticket holder. A billionaire owner may be able to take the team out of AZ but he will NEVER take the memories, friendships, experiences and the love for the game away from me & my family."
"This breaks my heart," Tempe City Councilman Randy Keating posted. "The Yotes fan base deserved so much better than to be strung along like they were. Arizona deserves to be a 4-sport state. Here's hoping an expansion team indeed comes, to an ownership group that deserves it. We fans certainly do."
"Heartbreaking to lose the Arizona Coyotes," another fan posted, along with a video from a game. "(I) will never forgive ownership. To all those who said we didn't have support in AZ, we stood by our team through mostly dark times."
"You have to admire the Coyotes players & coaching staff," former Coyotes Executive Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting Rich Nairn posted. "With all the rumors & speculation the past few days it would have been easy to roll over and not show up in (Vancouver) & (Edmonton). Instead, they have displayed tremendous character, pride & professionalism. Good for them."
"At my lowest, at my most lost, hockey found me," PHNX Sports' Danielle Cortez posted. "I've never felt at home quite like I did in my short time shooting at the rink. I'm devastated. Devastated for the fans. Devastated for my friends. Devastated for my city."
"Tonight, I feel like I lost a family member," the account 'Yotes Trade Central' posted. "... The Coyotes community is so wonderful, and I hope this isn't the end for all of you either. Can't wait to celebrate you all one last time at Mullett next week. Yotes forever."
The Coyotes have two more games remaining. They play the Calgary Flames on Sunday in Calgary, Alberta, and then wrap up their season, and time in Arizona, next Wednesday at Mullett Arena in Tempe against the Oilers.
That game will end the Coyotes' 28-year tenure in the Valley. They originally moved to Arizona from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1996. The Coyotes played at America West Arena, which is now called the Footprint Center, from 1996-2003. The team then moved to Glendale to play at what is now called Desert Diamond Arena and played there from 2003-22. However, they were kicked out of that arena after the 2022 season and played their final two seasons at Mullett Arena on Arizona State University's Tempe campus.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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