Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin announces formation of committee to bring NHL back to Arizona
Newly elected Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin is forming an advisory committee of political and business leaders dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix metro area. Galvin announced the move at the board’s meeting on Monday.
“Losing the NHL Coyotes was a low point, and I cringed when local politicians took glee in the demise of our hockey team,” Galvin said at the meeting. “I have had several meetings with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and he looks forward to working with us to identify an owner and the best location for a world-class building.”
Bettman confirmed that he met with Galvin via Zoom before Christmas.
Galvin was an ardent supporter of the Coyotes as they searched for a new home after their relationship in Glendale ended after 2021-22 season. He even offered to lend a hand in their pursuit of a new home, and expressed his sympathies with fans after voters rejected the team’s Tempe project in May of 2023; a defeat that eventually led the franchise to relocate to Salt Lake City.
“If the team and whoever was the property owner had a serious proposal, I would love to listen and be all ears,” he said that month. “I have an open mind. Coming from the private business world, I’m a dealmaker and love to see win-wins. If there’s a project that is going to be an economic boon for the East Valley, I’m all for it.
“I am a fan of hockey, I’m a fan of sports and I’m a fan of the Valley. I want to express a lot of support for Coyotes fans who are hurting right now. I think it’s a shame that people were gleeful in the demise of this project just because they like to take shots at an organization or a sport. I have a lot of respect for hockey. I have a lot of respect for hockey fans and I think hockey is great for the Valley. I want to see it stay here for decades to come.”
Galvin said Monday night that he hopes to name the members of the committee soon.
Love this update! Thank you for staying on top of this and giving us some hope :D Looking forward to seeing where you land next #CraigMorganArmy
my recommendation: get Shane Doan to head up a legitimate ownership group (must be billionaire(s)) that is passionate about HOCKEY (not real estate investment, not friends' bragging rights, not investment flip). Call Mario Lemieux and copy what he did in Pittsburgh!