Arizona Coyotes
History 1973-2021 (49 seasons)

Teams Arizona Coyotes

Originally founded on December 27, 1971, as the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA), they were one of four franchises absorbed into the National Hockey League after the WHA had ceased operations and then granted membership on June 22, 1979. The Jets moved to Phoenix on July 1, 1996, and were renamed as the Phoenix Coyotes. The franchise finalized a second name change on June 27, 2014, to become the Arizona Coyotes. Alex Meruelo became the majority owner on July 29, 2019. The team has been known for its instability under prior ownership. The NHL took over operations of the Phoenix Coyotes franchise in 2009 when then-owner Jerry Moyes turned it over directly to the league after declaring bankruptcy. The NHL maintained control of the team until 2013 when they were able to find new ownership willing to keep the franchise in Arizona. Despite their difficult working relationship with the city of Glendale and the use of Gila River Arena, the Coyotes currently have a year-to-year arrangement to play in the facility. As of 2021, they are the oldest franchise to have never played in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Originally founded on December 27, 1971, as the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA), they were one of four franchises absorbed into the National Hockey League after the WHA had ceased operations and then granted membership on June 22, 1979. The Jets moved to Phoenix on July 1, 1996, and were renamed as the Phoenix Coyotes. The franchise finalized a second name change on June 27, 2014, to become the Arizona Coyotes. Alex Meruelo became the majority owner on July 29, 2019. The team has been known for its instability under prior ownership. The NHL took over operations of the Phoenix Coyotes franchise in 2009 when then-owner Jerry Moyes turned it over directly to the league after declaring bankruptcy. The NHL maintained control of the team until 2013 when they were able to find new ownership willing to keep the franchise in Arizona. Despite their difficult working relationship with the city of Glendale and the use of Gila River Arena, the Coyotes currently have a year-to-year arrangement to play in the facility. As of 2021, they are the oldest franchise to have never played in the Stanley Cup Finals.

2008 Phoenix Coyotes

1973-2021 (49 seasons)

Arizona Coyotes Team History

All-time franchise record

1637-1696 (.491)

3 championships in 5 appearances

Franchise History

2015-2021

Arizona Coyotes (NHL)

1997-2014

Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)

1980-1996

Winnipeg Jets (NHL)

1973-1979

Winnipeg Jets (WHA)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

1979 39-35 Won WHA Finals

1978 50-28 Won WHA Finals

1977 46-32 Lost WHA Finals

1976 52-27 Won WHA Finals

1973 43-31 Lost WHA Finals

View More Coyotes Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 24-26 Missed Playoffs

2020 33-29 Lost First Round

2019 39-35 Missed Playoffs

2018 29-41 Missed Playoffs

2017 30-42 Missed Playoffs

View All Coyotes Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player

2021 1 / 9 Dylan Guenther RW

2021 1 / 11 (forfeited)

2019 1 / 11 Victor Soderstrom D

2018 1 / 5 Barrett Hayton C

2017 1 / 23 Pierre-Olivier Joseph D

View All Coyotes Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager

1980-89 10 John Ferguson

2008-16 9 Don Maloney

2001-07 7 Michael Barnett

1989-94 6 Mike Smith

1996-00 5 Bobby Smith

View All Coyotes General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner

2020-21 2 Alex Merulo

2015-19 5 Andrew Barroway

2014-17 4 George Gosbee

2010-13 4 National Hockey League (NHL)

2006-09 4 Jerry Moyes

2000-05 6 Steve Ellman

2000-05 6 Wayne Gretzky

1996-99 4 Richard Burke

1996-99 4 Howard Millstein

1996 1 Steven Gluckstern

1981-95 15 Barry Shenkarow

1980 1 Ben Hatskin

View All Coyotes Owners

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Arizona Coyotes History

F i l t e r & S o r t

Arizona Coyotes Media Guidepublication

Arizona Coyotes Media Guide

53 issues 1973-2025

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...