Matthews Says Coyotes Sparked His Hockey Path
Auston Matthews told reporters at Mullett Arena that he likely would not have played hockey without the Arizona Coyotes. Matthew Knies, who also grew up in the Phoenix area, said he hopes an NHL team returns to the desert. The Maple Leafs were in Arizona for a team-bonding trip.
Auston Matthews returned to Mullett Arena with Toronto during a bonding trip. The Maple Leafs captain, raised in Scottsdale, credited the former Coyotes with introducing him to the sport; a photo from his childhood showed him in Arizona youth gear. Matthew Knies, another Phoenix-area native, likewise tied his early interest in hockey to the franchise.
With the Coyotes no longer in Arizona, Knies noted that youth hockey remains popular and said he would welcome an NHL club returning. Phoenix has been mentioned among possible expansion markets, though the visit itself did not alter that process.
The remarks could resonate with hockey families in nontraditional markets, especially Arizona, by highlighting how a local NHL team can shape youth participation and identity. If expansion returns to Phoenix, it may strengthen grassroots interest, rink investment, and pathways for players; if not, current youth momentum may rely on other organizations. Fans and former Coyotes supporters may feel nostalgia, while league observers may see player voices as soft pressure in expansion discussion.