PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Maricopa County leaders have taken the next step in their efforts to bring professional hockey back to the Valley.
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin announced on Monday that Andrea Doan has been named Chair of the Advisory Panel on Pro Hockey to Arizona. The panel is made up of local leaders focused on bringing a National Hockey League (NHL) team back to the state after the Arizona Coyotes franchise was relocated to Utah. Doan, a longtime Arizona resident, is the wife of former Coyote Shane Doan.
“Arizona means a lot to me and my family, and the hockey community in this incredible state is committed to bringing the NHL back to the desert,” she said. “I am honored to serve as the chair of this advisory panel and look forward to working with my colleagues and fellow community leaders in Arizona on this important effort.”
The main pillars of the strategic plan include securing ownership and an arena location alongside ongoing community outreach for the sport.
The Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation, a charitable organization supporting the growth of hockey, is responsible for developing and championing community outreach. The non-profit works to provide accessible avenues for aspiring players of all ages to develop their skills, camaraderie and passion for hockey.
“We are excited to continue introducing hockey to the local communities and build an everlasting love for the game,” said Lyndsey Fry, co-founder of the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation. “We know the importance of having a NHL team in Arizona, and we will do our part to preserve and grow the game to hopefully pioneer a new era of the Arizona Coyotes in the future.”
Galvin had made his intentions clear in working to bring NHL hockey back to Arizona when he was sworn in as chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors earlier this year.
The Coyotes relocated to Salt Lake City after the end of the 2023-2024 season, after a 26-year tenure in the Valley.
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