The Coyotes’ 2022-23 NHL season has already gotten underway, however the Arizona faithful have yet to see the team play at home in the desert.
We are heading into the second week of the season, and the Coyotes still have four more games to go before playing at home. The team is in its first season temporarily playing at Arizona State University’s new multipurpose facility, Mullet Arena, which has caused the club to spend a lot more time on the road than other squads.
Arizona begins its season with a six-game road trip along the East Coast. So far, the team has dropped two decisions, a 6-2 contest to the Penguins on Oct. 13 and a 6-3 loss to the Bruins on Oct. 15.
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After a short home stretch, the Coyotes are back on the road for over a month. Here is a look at why Arizona is playing so many away games.
Why are the Coyotes playing so many away games?
With the Coyotes playing at the same arena as the Arizona State hockey program, scheduling conflicts abound.
Since the Sun Devils are the main program for the facility, ASU got priority in scheduling. It’s the reason why the Coyotes have just 10 combined home games on either Friday or Saturday.
With the NCAA season beginning right around the same time as the NHL, it has resulted in the Coyotes playing a good portion of games away from home. In fact, Arizona is playing 20 of its first 24 games of the season as the away team.
It begins the season with a six-game road trip before a four-game home stand. Then it’s on the road for 14 consecutive games running from Nov. 5 to Dec. 7.
Where is the Coyotes home arena?
- Venue: Mullett Arena
- Location: Tempe, Ariz.
The Coyotes’ new home for the 2022-23 season is Mullett Arena, the new facility built at Arizona State University. It is the home of the Sun Devils’ men’s and women’s hockey programs.
The rink seats 5,000 people. In addition, the ASU women’s gymnastics and men’s wrestling teams use the facility.
When is the Coyotes’ home opener?
- Date: Friday, Oct. 28
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Arizona plays its first game at Mullett Arena on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET. The team is hosting the Jets.
It is the first contest in a four-game home stand for the Coyotes before hitting the road again.
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Why are the Coyotes playing at ASU?
The Coyotes’ residency at ASU is not expected to be the permanent home for the NHL club, however, it is going to be the location for the team for the near future.
The Coyotes and Arizona State have an agreement in place that the NHL team will play at the new facility from the 2022-23 season through the 2024-25. That means the Coyotes will be at ASU for the next three seasons, with a built-in option for the 2025-26 campaign.
The team’s previous lease at Gila River Arena and the city of Glendale expired after the 2021-22 season and the city did not want to renew the deal.
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