from Joshua Clipperton of the CP at CBC,
The Coyotes begin life at Arizona State University on Friday when they host the Winnipeg Jets following a six-game road trip to open the schedule....
Everything's brand new," Arizona winger Clayton Keller said of Mullett Arena's cozy confines. "We'll just go from there. The atmosphere will be cool. There's standing bleachers behind the net, which no NHL team has.
"It's unique and brings a different aspect."
There were inevitable jokes made when Arizona's move to an arena — which is named for a prominent ASU donor family — that's a fraction the size of the league's other 31 venues was announced, but NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said it will benefit the franchise both now and in the future.
"Full building every night," he said. "It could help the team and player performance when you have that type of environment....
As for playing in a 5,000-seat facility, NHL stars have mixed feelings.
"Certainly gonna be different," Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. "Not really too sure what to expect. Definitely hope it works out."
"I don't know," Colorado centre Nathan MacKinnon added with a smile. "We'll see, I guess."
added 12:53pm, Below, check out the dressing room for the visitors for the first 4 games.
Obviously not ideal, but I'd love to go see the Coyotes/Red Wings games in that tiny arena. Also, it's might even be nicer than some of the older NHL arenas, size aside, since it's brand new. ASU really held their feet to the fire though - they are getting NHL quality locker rooms and I read the Coyotes aren't allowed to change the ice, so it'll be free advertising for my Sun Devils center ice.
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