Puck Prose
Fansided

If Arizona Coyotes Fans Cared Things Would Be Better, But They Don’t

By Patrick Helper

facebooktwitterreddit

The Arizona Coyotes haven’t been that bad of a team over the past four seasons, but still their fans don’t care. Hockey in the South hasn’t always worked well and Arizona is an example of a region that despite some decent hockey over the year, just doesn’t back their team. The Coyotes haven’t been an annual fixture in the Playoffs and no, they are not a set your hair on fire team, but if you look at the attendance and standing over the past four years the numbers are alarming. I don’t completely blame the franchise for its short comings – I give most of the blame to the so-called fan base that wants a team, but doesn’t want to go to the games.  I say the fans don’t deserve a top pick.

Attendance and Points from 2011-2015 (Attendance numbers via ESPN)

  • 2011-2012: Average attendance 30th, 12,420 (97 points, 11th overall)
  • 2012-2013: Average attendance 29th, 13,923 (51 points, 19th overall)
  • 2013-2014: Average attendance 30th, 13,775 (85 points, 18th overall)
  • 2014-2015: Average attendance 28th, 13,245 (47 points, 28th overall)

The numbers do not lie – people in Arizona are not hockey fans and to keep trying to save a franchise that has never really grabbed hold of a fan base is a waste of time and money.  I know the NHL says they want a team in Arizona, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why. There are a handful of cities that could easily draw better numbers and in turn get the league more money.

More from Puck Prose

I don’t like the idea of taking a team away from the few that enjoy the game, but sadly the numbers are not going to support keeping a team there. Could there be hope? Maybe. The Arizona Coyotes are going to dump players and make a few trades that will in turn make them worse than they already are this year. But, I have to be honest – the thought of seeing Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel calling the Arizona Coyotes home is almost sickening to me.

It just feels dirty. And I don’t care what a Yahoo Sports writer that shall remain nameless thinks. I understand that fans will come see those kids play and it will give a sold boost to the numbers. I just don’t like the idea of seeing a fan base rewarded when they don’t support their team.  It would be a completely different situation if this was a terrible team that people still came to watch, but they haven’t for years.

I know there will be plenty of “if they win the fans will come” type arguments, but that’s not how a hockey city should work. If your fans only show up when things are going great they are not fans – they are just jumping on the bandwagon and that same person will jump off as soon as things get bad.

More from Arizona Coyotes

The argument can be made that poor ownership has chased away whatever real fans there were in Arizona, (and the current five-year out clause that still exists does not help). But,  the fans need to do their part as well.

Maybe this argument is a bit harsh and I hope it doesn’t come across as a blatant statement of “big talent in a small market is never a good”. In reality it’s the opposite. I’m all for smaller markets landing a great player (in hopes of competing with the Chicago’s of the NHL), but I’d much rather see a franchise with a dedicated fan base get that player.

*The Coyotes have been to the NHL Playoff eight times, missing them each of the last three years.

More from Puck Prose

Home/Arizona Coyotes