Coyotes likely held last practice at Glendale arena
The way the Coyotes’ final week of the regular season is shaping up, with two games on the road before the Gila River Arena finale on Friday night, a team practice isn’t likely to happen after the one held on Monday.
So the Coyotes laced up their skates for one more, a short practice, before leaving the building for their flight to the Twin Cities, where they will face the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.
With back-to-back games this week, both away, Thursday shapes up to be a day off. Then a potential morning skate on Friday a few hours before the last puck drop for good in Glendale against the same team the Coyotes faced back in December 2003 in the first game at the building, the Nashville Predators.
It certainly feels like the Coyotes will leave the arena without much fanfare, although some form of recognition of the Glendale years is planned. The next time the Coyotes play a home game will be on the Arizona State University campus in the fall.
“It’s more the unknown. I like that building. I like our setup. That was great, the time we were here,” Coyotes head coach André Tourigny said from Gila River Arena Monday. “It’s all good. Now we’re going into the unknown.”
Club legends Shane Doan, Jeremy Roenick and other players not yet announced will be on hand for a ceremonial puck drop. It’s the traditional Fan Appreciation Night, so there will be a salute to the fans as there at every home finale.
Also, the team will hand out commemorative tickets to the first 5,000 fans through the gates at Gila River Arena Friday night.
Forward Nick Schmaltz has been with the Coyotes since being traded from Chicago in 2018.
He’ll always have a good memory of Gila River Arena, from the night he tallied seven points (two goals, five assists) to set an Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets record for most in one game in an 8-5 win over the Ottawa Senators on
March 5.
The trade from Chicago to the Coyotes helped Schmaltz find his game again, he said, and he will always be grateful to the organization for that. Since making Gila River Arena his hockey home, Schmaltz said he’s had some good times and made great friends.
“Going to miss it a little bit, but probably won’t miss the drive,” he said, referring to many players living on the east side of the valley having to come all the way to the west side for work.
Schmaltz has 33 points in 33 home games in 2021-2022.
“Had some big nights here this season. I’ll remember a couple of those for sure,” Schmaltz said.
Coyotes’ Ladd nominated for award
Forward Andrew Ladd is this season’s Coyotes nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.
One nominee from each of the 32 NHL teams was announced, including four former Coyotes now on different teams.
Injuries limited Ladd, 36, to 30 NHL games over the previous three seasons (four over the past two). He spent most of that time either in injury rehab, playing in the AHL or trying to figure out what to do with his hockey career. Off-ice sessions with a mental skills coach and on-ice work with skills coach Adam Oates motivated Ladd to change his game and stick with hockey for at least a little bit longer.
He recently played in his 1,000th career game and continues his charity work.
“At the end of the day, it just shows the love for the game,” Ladd said, adding he’ll sit down and decide if his body will allow him to continue playing when this season is over.
“It’s how I think everyone values the game and what it means to everybody, that’s why we keep going and persevere and push forward.”