Fansided

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

By Patrick Helper |

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.

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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.

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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.

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