The Tucson City Council unanimously approved a ten-year lease between IceArizona and the Rio Nuevo District to bring the American Hockey League to the Old Pueblo.

Coyotes moved Falcons from Springfield to Tuczon

IceArizona is the parent ownership group of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes purchased the Springfield Falcons, their top affiliate, to move them to Tucson in time for the upcoming 2016-2017 season.

The team will play at the downtown Tucson Arena, which is within the Tucson Convention Center complex.  

The lease deal contains some of the following points:

  • The City of Tucson is to pay for arena upgrades of $3.2 million.
  • The deal is for 10 years with a five year out clause for IceArizona if attendance is lower than 2,500.
  • Should the team move Tucson would be reimbursed for part of upgrades
  • $300,000 license agreement paid by IceArizona to City of Tucson.
  •  50/50 split on revenues at arena including concessions, parking and naming rights.
  • At least 29 games will be played in Tucson each year.  Up to five home games can be played elsewhere. Most likely in Prescott Valley or Phoenix.
Where the Tucson Flacons will play next season | Tucson Convention Center

The Coyotes have wasted no time in getting new team information on their website.  There is a name the team contest, a link to put down a season ticket deposit and more.  

After other false starts over the years for the Tucson hockey fan this new adventure has all of the trappings of a success.  The stability of the ownership, plus a nice and newly renovated arena, will go a long way to making this a success.  

The pool of prospects that the Coyotes are moving to Tucson can give the Tucson hockey fan a reason to hope. The Coyotes have been stockpiling young talent such as Brendan Perlini, Christian Dvorak, and Ryan ManInnis to help the parent club in the future, Luckily for the Tucson AHL fan, the future is now.