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Coyotes Shared Emotional Moment With Fans After Final Home Game in Arizona
The Arizona Coyotes are no more. On Wednesday, the franchise played its final game in Phoenix, with an expected relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah on the horizon. It was an emotional moment for all involved; the Coyotes have been in Arizona for nearly 30 years.
To honor the moment, the Coyotes roster took a final photo on the ice with team employees before saluting the fans. It came after one last win over the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2.
The Coyotes have spent the last two seasons playing at a college rink, Mullet Arena, which is home to the Arizona State men's hockey team. This is, of course, an unacceptable long-term arrangement for a professional sports team. The franchise has spent the last two years trying to build a new arena in the state and have failed to do so. The final death knell came in May of 2023, when citizens voted down a proposal that would have built a $2.1 billion arena in Tempe.
That was the first sign of change to come. The following months were rife with rumors that the team might just up and move before this past season began. They ended up playing 2023-'24 in Arizona, and their future was unsettled until Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith expressed interest in bringing hockey to Salt Lake City.
The move isn't completely done yet. The board of governors still need to officially approve the transaction. But all signs point to the Coyotes relocating and leaving their home of 28 years behind. A sad moment for the community and the players who made Arizona home.