The Arizona Coyotes have announced that they will be relocating to Salt Lake City, with general manager Bill Armstrong meeting with the team before their game against the Edmonton Oilers to confirm the news. Reports suggest that the NHL has facilitated a sale of the team to Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Utah Jazz.
Players had been seeking answers, prompting Armstrong to fly to Edmonton to share the news. The terms of the sale from current owner Alex Meruelo have not been disclosed.
The Coyotes are expected to start playing at the Jazz’s Delta Center in Salt Lake City, owned by the Smiths. However, the NHL has indicated that the arena will need hockey-specific upgrades to become the team’s permanent home.
Coyotes players and staff have been invited to visit Salt Lake City after their regular season finale next week as they prepare for their new home in Utah. This move is a result of their struggles to find a new arena following termination of their lease at Gila River Arena in 2021. After temporarily playing at Arizona State’s Mullett Arena in Tempe, plans in Tempe and Phoenix fell through leading to a quick decision to move to Utah. Gov. Spencer Cox has approved funding for a renovated entertainment district downtown which could support an NHL team in Salt Lake City.
