Is Global Warming Happening in Arizona Hockey Rinks?

 

PHOENIX -- With the Phoenix Coyotes in jeopardy of relocating, some wonder if Arizona’s youth hockey programs can survive if there is no National Hockey League team.

Cori Crenshaw, a long-time supporter of hockey in Arizona, believes the Phoenix Coyotes are the face of hockey in Arizona. “The Coyotes provide a way for people to engage in the sport and for youth hockey players to get inspired by it, and see it up close,” Crenshaw said.

The Phoenix Coyotes have been in the Valley since 1996 after the franchise relocated from the Canadian city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The team did not garner a lot attention until 2009 when the owner filed for bankruptcy and Wayne Gretzky stepped down as head coach and head of hockey operations for the team.

Youth hockey has been in Arizona since before 1996. In fact, USA Hockey, which oversees youth and amateur hockey programs across the country, has a record of youth hockey in Arizona dating back to 1990. Earlier youth hockey teams are not on record with USA Hockey. 

Scott Farr, the captain of the Mission’s 18 Red team, a youth hockey team, said hockey teaches children more than just the sport. 

“Hockey is a great teacher for our youth,” Farr said. “It helps teach responsibility, teamwork, trust, work ethic and, most importantly, how to have fun.”

According to USA Hockey, Arizona has seen one of the largest growths in youth hockey in the country. The USA Hockey records show that in Arizona, the number of registered hockey players in programs increased from 3,649 during the 2010-2011 season to 4,113 during the 2011-2012 season. That is about a 13 percent increase.

“The Phoenix Coyotes bring a huge influx of kids that want to play the game of hockey,” Farr said.

Crystal Roe, the director of youth hockey for Polar Ice in Peoria, Ariz., thinks there is a correlation between the Phoenix Coyotes and the number of youth hockey players. “A lot of fans and kids in the youth hockey programs are Phoenix Coyotes fans,” Roe said.

According to Roe, Polar Ice hosted a program called Kids First Hockey during the NHL lockout that lasted from October 2012 to January 2013. Roe said that during the lockout, there was a significant decline in attendees for the program. However, when the lockout ended in early January 2013, the program saw a noticeable increase of participants.

The question remains: Can youth hockey survive without the NHL team? 

In the summer of 2011, the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, leaving Georgia without a NHL team. Despite no NHL team, youth hockey in Georgia has grown since the relocation. According to USA Hockey, registered hockey players in Georgia have increased 3 percent since the departure.

This begs the question: Can the same thing happen with youth hockey in Arizona? This question comes with many different answers.

“If the Coyotes leave, it would definitely not get the notice of people outside the hockey world,” Crenshaw said. “Plus, there are places like the Ice Den in Scottsdale that thrive off the Coyotes.”

“There would be a dramatic decrease in kids wanting to come play hockey,” Farr added. “The effect of that means hockey associations lose money around Arizona and causes them to go under.”

The Phoenix Coyotes are a source of funding for youth hockey programs. According to the Phoenix Coyotes, the Coyotes organization gives out scholarships and grants to youth hockey players and teams to help alleviate the cost for parents. According to USA Hockey, playing in some leagues can cost approximately $975 per season.

“It is hard to say [what will happen],” Roe said. “The only thing we can do is make hockey fun so we can draw and keep the kids in.”