It was an emotional night for the Arizona Coyotes players and fans on Wednesday. The Coyotes won 5-2 over the Edmonton Oilers at Mullett Arena in the franchise’s final home game in the Valley.
Now, they’re relocating to Utah, and fans at Mullett Arena made sure the owners knew what they felt about it, as they, at different points during the game, united in ”Salt Lake sucks” chants.
The owner, Alex Meruelo, plans to sell the team to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith. After the game, Coyotes players signed jerseys, and some fans in the crowd were seen crying.
Paul Bissonnette, a former player for the Arizona Coyotes, got emotional on the TNT broadcast when he talked about how much the organization has meant to him.
”Guys, I was a borderline NHLer. I was fortunate enough to get picked up on waivers by the Arizona Coyotes,” BizNasty said.
”I thought I was going to be there a month or two, but I got to spend five of the best years of my life there, living the dream in the National Hockey League. While there, I met so many incredible players, whether it was players on the team, or guys on the staff and even the people who worked on the rink, the ushers. So many amazing people.”
Paul Bissonnette was choking up when talking about how much the Coyotes helped him, not just as an NHL player but also as a media worker.
”When I retired I ended up having the fortunate opportunity to go there and start my media career. I got to work with incredible people on the media side,” he said.
Bissonnette also mentioned several names from the organization—players, trainers, and media people—that he will never forget.
”The list goes on and on and on, and I hope I didn’t forget anyone, but it just sucks this way it was drawn out, and the way that people were treated there. Not crazy about the way ownership handled things, and the way that people I care about were treated, and including the fans.”
But mostly, Bissonnette gave his praise to the fans.
”The people throughout all the tumultuous times with ownership, and kind of getting dragged through it. They stuck by us and supported us.
”To every single person that I came across with my time with the Arizona Coyotes, and that I had the pleasure working with, I just want to let you know that I wouldn’t have been sitting here if it wasn’t for you guys. I know that hockey belongs in the desert, I know it will be back there, I don’t want the former owners who were there to bring it back. I hope that people that appreciate the people that are there, and who made the organization what it is, I want them to be a part of it, and be treated the way they should be.”
It was obvious just how much the Arizona Coyotes have meant for Biz.
”It’s hard to talk about all this, but I love all you guys in Coyotes land. I’m so grateful for you, and you gave me some of the best years of my life. I’m forever grateful, and I don’t know what else to say.”
