Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) based in Arizona from 1996 to 2024.
The Arizona Coyotes were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) based in Arizona from 1996 to 2024. The franchise began as the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association in 1972, joined the NHL in 1979, relocated to Phoenix in 1996, and was later renamed the Arizona Coyotes in 2014. In 2024, the team’s assets were sold and the NHL franchise was effectively replaced in Salt Lake City by the Utah Hockey Club.
Franchise history
The franchise was founded in 1972 as the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association. In 1979, the WHA merged into the NHL and the Jets were one of four teams absorbed. The team remained in Winnipeg until 1996, when it relocated to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes.
Arizona years
In Arizona, the team first played as the Phoenix Coyotes and later changed its location-based name to Arizona Coyotes in 2014. Over time, the club moved between several arenas in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes played at America West Arena from 1996 to 2003, then moved to Gila River Arena from 2003 to 2022, and finally Mullett Arena from 2022 to 2024.
End of the franchise in Arizona
The Coyotes ceased operations in Arizona in 2024 after the franchise’s assets were sold. The NHL later established a new team in Salt Lake City, ending the Coyotes’ run in Arizona. The sale of assets included the team's hockey operations, logo, and history. The new Utah Hockey Club began play in the 2024–25 season.
Competitive record
The team had limited postseason success compared with many NHL franchises. They won one division title, in the 2011–12 season when they finished first in the Pacific Division. They advanced to the Western Conference Final in the 2012 playoffs but lost to the Los Angeles Kings. The franchise did not win a Stanley Cup.
Key facts
- The franchise originated as the Winnipeg Jets in 1972 and entered the NHL in 1979.
- The team relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996 and initially played as the Phoenix Coyotes.
- The club adopted the name Arizona Coyotes in 2014.
- The Coyotes played at three different arenas in Arizona: America West Arena, Gila River Arena, and Mullett Arena.
- In 2024, the franchise's assets were sold, leading to the establishment of the Utah Hockey Club.
The franchise began in Winnipeg, Manitoba, making it part of Canadian hockey history before its 1996 relocation to Arizona.
Frequently asked questions
Were the Arizona Coyotes a real NHL team?
What were the Arizona Coyotes called before 2014?
Where did the franchise start?
What happened to the Coyotes in 2024?
How many Stanley Cups did the Coyotes win?
What arenas did they use in Arizona?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arizona-CoyotesSupports: Team history, Arizona tenure from 1996 to 2024, and 2024 sale leading to Utah Hockey Club
- ABC15 Arizona — https://www.abc15.com/sports/timeline-a-look-at-the-coyotes-time-in-arizonaSupports: Relocation to Arizona in 1996, name change to Arizona Coyotes in 2014, and final season in 2024
- StatMuse — https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/team/arizona-coyotes-franchise-28/historySupports: Franchise seasons, conference and division context, and lack of championships
- EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/sports-and-leisure/arizona-coyotesSupports: Origin as Winnipeg Jets, 1979 NHL entry, move to Arizona, and home arena information