Arizona Coyotes Fans Seek Connection After Franchise Moves to Utah

The Mammoth have ignited excitement in Utah, capturing a new fan base with their playoff appearance in just their second season. However, a lingering sense of connection remains among the former supporters of the Arizona Coyotes, who now watch the franchise they once cheered for from a distance, under a new name and in a new location more than 600 miles away.

Maricopa County Supervisor Tom Galvin, a lifelong hockey enthusiast, reflects on this unique detachment. “I’m a hockey fan and I’ve been cheering for them; most of those guys, that team, that organization were here,” he shared. Yet he acknowledges the emotional distance: “But in many ways, I feel disconnected from them. They’re playing in Utah, they have Utah fans, they play in a Utah arena.”

Determined to rekindle the NHL flame in the Phoenix area, Galvin has taken action since the Coyotes’ relocation to Utah in 2024. He initiated an advisory committee that includes notable figures such as former Olympian Lyndsey Fry and Andrea Doan. Fry, a Phoenix native and a significant contributor to Arizona youth hockey, leads community relations for the committee, while Doan brings her own deep-rooted connections to the sport, being married to former Coyotes captain Shane Doan and the mother of current NHL player Josh Doan.

As the committee explores options for potentially bringing an NHL franchise back to Arizona, Galvin emphasizes the need for solid ownership and a suitable arena location. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated interest in reinstating a franchise in Arizona, as the league still owns the Coyotes name. “We have to find a good and appropriate location for an arena — that has been an issue bedeviling the Coyotes for the better part of 25 years — and we need a billionaire to put up money to buy the team,” Galvin explained, humorously adding, “So my joke is, if you know a billionaire, please let me know because there’s not that many around and that’s what it takes in professional sports these days.”

The Coyotes faced numerous challenges during their 28-year tenure in Arizona, including multiple ownership changes and three different arenas. Despite attempts to establish a new arena in Tempe and another in Scottsdale, both plans faltered, leading to the franchise’s eventual move to Utah.

While Coyotes fans strive to maintain a connection with the newly branded team, the distance has taken its toll. Galvin admits, “I’ve got to tell you, my enthusiasm for them really dropped off. But I do love watching hockey and enjoy watching great other teams.” Nevertheless, he remains committed to bringing NHL hockey back to Arizona, hoping to reignite the passion of local fans.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.