There is no prospective owner on the horizon and no building plan.
Phoenix Still Hopes for an NHL Return
There are still people in the Phoenix metropolitan area who have not given up on bringing the National Hockey League back to the market. The belief remains that pro hockey can work in Arizona under the right conditions. What is missing is not interest or passion. What is missing is money and a modern arena.
Andrea Doan is now chairing an advisory panel focused on professional hockey in Arizona. Her husband, Shane Doan, played for the Arizona Coyotes franchise and remains closely tied to the hockey community. The panel now includes two former mayors from smaller municipalities in the region. It also includes the son of a former franchise owner, along with business and community leaders.
The Missing Piece
The group does not include the most important figure needed to make a return possible. There is no individual willing to buy an NHL franchise and fund the construction of a new arena. That absence continues to block any serious path forward.
Phoenix currently does not have an NHL team for one simple reason. The market lacks a suitable arena. Without a modern building designed for hockey, the league has no incentive to return.
How the Problems Began
The Phoenix hockey story started in 1996 when the NHL approved the relocation of the Winnipeg Jets to Arizona. The team moved into a city owned arena that was not built for hockey. Roughly 4,000 seats had obstructed views, which hurt fan experience and ticket sales.
Ownership quickly realized the building could not support an NHL franchise. The search for a new arena began almost immediately. That search eventually led to Glendale, Arizona.
Glendale Years and Financial Trouble
The team began playing in Glendale in 2003. While the arena was hockey friendly, ownership stability was not. Several ownership groups struggled financially over the years. The franchise went insolvent in 2009.
Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie attempted to buy the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario. The NHL blocked the sale. The league wanted to keep the team in the Phoenix market.
The Final Collapse
On August 19, 2021, the city of Glendale chose not to renew its arena operating agreement beyond the 2021–22 season. With no home, the team signed a deal to play at Arizona State University’s 5,000 seat arena. That move was widely viewed as temporary and unsustainable.
In April 2024, NHL ownership decided it was time to move on. The franchise was sold to Ryan Smith. He relocated the team to Salt Lake City.
What Comes Next
Phoenix still represents a large media market with corporate potential. The interest exists. The history shows the risks. Until someone steps forward with arena funding and franchise capital, NHL hockey will remain only a hope in the desert.
Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191
Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com
