The fallout from the Arizona Coyotes' failed bid to build a new arena in Tempe continues to be felt in the Copper State.
On Saturday, 2023 third-overall draft pick Logan Cooley acknowledged that his decision to stay in school and not make the jump to the NHL was influenced by the Coyotes' current situation, according to a report by Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
Cooley, 19, is coming off a 60-point freshman season with the University of Minnesota that saw the Golden Gophers advance all the way to the National Championship final.
On Tuesday, Tempe residents voted down a proposal to construct a sports and entertainment district in the city. The Coyotes just completed their first season playing out of Arizona State University's Mullett Arena, which is the smallest venue in the league with a seating capacity of about 4,600. The fact the Coyotes are using Mullett Arena as their home is a compromise solution after the City of Glendale refused the renew the team's lease at Gila River Arena.
On Thursday, star foward Clayton Keller's agents met with the club to discuss the organization's future, both on and off the ice, despite Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez stating the team is still pursuing a permanent home for the club in Arizona.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he's planning to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Coyotes to Hartford.
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