Coyotes’ trade for Taylor Hall (left) has lifted attendance, TV ratings,
The Coyotes have seen a significant uptick in both attendance and TV ratings since the blockbuster trade for superstar forward Taylor Hall on Dec. 16, team president and CEO Ahron Cohen said.
After selling out two games on their just-completed homestand, the Coyotes already have sold out six games this season, equaling their total from last season. Those two recent sellout crowds (Dec. 29 vs. Dallas, Saturday vs. Philadelphia) both exceeded 17,000 patrons, per the Coyotes.
“People are taking notice in this Phoenix community,” Cohen said. “Playing the Blues and snapping their win streak, getting a huge win in front of a sellout crowd in front of a very good Flyers team is very positive. We’re hoping to capitalize on this momentum we have.
“We’ve positioned ourselves well with a very high season-ticket renewal rate, which is the highest Glendale has seen at 94% from last season. We sold ticket packages and had a huge uptick from previous years. That solid base was built up well before the season.”
Local television ratings have blossomed since the Hall trade, with the Coyotes’ TV ratings for December up 104% compared with December 2019. In total, the Coyotes’ local ratings are up 23% year-over-year in 2020.
Of course, Hall isn’t the only factor for the inflation in numbers. There is reason to believe a successful and likely playoff-bound team is a major contributor. For the first time in 20 years, the Coyotes held first place in the Pacific Division at the time of the NHL’s holiday break.
And there also is the opening of the Loop 202 freeway extension to consider. Residents in the Southeast Valley now have an option that could help shorten their commute to Gila River Arena.
“I think it’s a confluence of a lot of factors,” Cohen said. “First and foremost, I think it’s a testament to what we’re doing on the ice. We’re winning games and building excitement throughout the marketplace. Obviously you see the excitement generated when we signed No. 91 ... December onward was a period where (the Coyotes) were starting to resonate.
“It wasn’t that we just won a few games. You’re starting to see a ton of attention. We’re winning games and doing good stuff in the community, building these relationships throughout our community. It’s starting to bear fruit.”
Injury updates
❚ Antti Raanta (lower body) traveled with the Coyotes to Florida and was on the ice to begin practice on Monday but took himself off the ice when he felt the injury flare up, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters. His status for Tuesday against the Panthers is unknown. Both Adin Hill and Ivan Prosvetov are also with the team as goaltending insurance.
❚ Derek Stepan (hand) suffered an injury at practice that renders him questionable for Tuesday against the Panthers. Tocchet called the injury “a freak accident.”
❚ Niklas Hjalmarsson (cracked fibula) is also with the Coyotes on the trip and practicing with the team. Although he seems unlikely to play on the threegame road trip, Hjalmarsson is getting close to a return.
❚ Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is the fourth goaltender on the trip with the Coyotes. Kuemper isn’t ready to play on the road trip, but he is skating on his own as he aims for a return at or around the All-Star break.