The Coyotes continue to promote and attempt to grow the game of hockey in Arizona as the team will play its final preseason game in Tucson.
The Arizona Coyotes will play their final preseason game tomorrow against the Anaheim Ducks in Tucson, Arizona.
This is the second-straight year where Tucson is hosting a Coyotes preseason game. The team played in Tucson on Sept. 25, 2022 also against the Ducks where they ultimately lost 3-2.
The Coyotes AHL affiliate, the Roadrunners, play in Tucson helping establish some sort of hockey culture in a city where there are only a couple ice rinks.
Last season, the Roadrunners had an average home attendance of 3,625. Since the Roadrunner's inaugural season back in 2016, the team has seen an average attendance of over 4,000 but since the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in 2020, the attendance has been unable to hit that mark.
There are a few former Roadrunners now on the Coyotes including Lawson Crouse, Barrett Hayton, Matias Maccelli and J.J. Moser.
Promoting and growing the game of hockey in Arizona is a great way for the Coyotes to increase its fan base state-wide which is exactly what this preseason has the potential to do.
While there will most likely never be a professional hockey team in Tucson, you never know if someone in the crowd will be inspired to get into the game of hockey just by watching the NHL for the very first time.