Arizona Coyotes Prep Gila River Arena

The Arizona Coyotes put the ice down in Gila River Arena yesterday, signaling the long awaited end of the offseason and the impending arrival of rookies to training camp.

It came without ribbons, it came without tags, but it’s finally time for the Arizona Coyotes rookies to pack their bags.

The ice went down in Gila River Arena on Tuesday and it was a welcome sight.

With temperatures in the Valley still hovering in the 105 degree range, seeing the arena prepping for hockey season is a sign that the best months of the year in the desert are soon to follow.

Here’s some images of the process from the Coyotes’ Twitter feed:

And here’s a look at the ice with no center-ice painting:

Lookin’ good. Lookin’ good, indeed.

Arizona Coyotes News and Links

Arizona Coyotes Forward Tobias Rieder Still Without Contract — Howlin’ Hockey

As we approach the start of training camp, Arizona Coyotes restricted free agent forward Tobias Rieder is still without a contract.

Glendale Voters Support Kicking Out Coyotes — Howlin’ Hockey

Arizona Coyotes fans were shocked when the Glendale City Council voted to terminate its Gila River Arena lease agreement with the Coyotes in 2015. Now we know the people of Glendale apparently didn’t want the team either.

Domi and Duclair Should Play on Same Line — Howlin’ Hockey

More from Howlin' Hockey

Last season Arizona Coyotes fans were treated to a show by two of the organization’s brightest prospects. Now heading into their sophomore seasons, Max Domi and Anthony Duclair have proven that they should be playing on the same line from game one.

Lawson Crouse motivated to make NHL with Arizona Coyotes — AZCentral

The Coyotes’ prospect pool is brimming with skill, speed and smarts – a collection of young talent that embodies the up-tempo style that is sweeping the NHL. Team brass, however, felt the group could use one more ingredient to go along with the creative playmakers and savvy scorers.

Season Preview: Three questions with Coyotes blog Five For Howling — Silver Seven

Three divisions down, one more to go — it’s on to the Pacific Division in our Three Questions series! Brendan Porter of Five For Howling answered these for us.

Other Local Sports

DeAndre Ayton chooses Arizona over Kentucky, Kansas — ESPN

DeAndre Ayton, the top-ranked basketball player in the country, has chosen Arizona over Kentucky and Kansas.

Carson Chats: Super Bowl expectations are exciting — Arizona Sports

Carson Palmer, now in his fourth season as the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback, meets with the media once a week during the season to answer some questions. Here in this space, with help from the Cardinals’ media relations staff, we will highlight the best of what he had to say, and this week he discussed his feelings as the team prepares for its Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots.

Phoenix Suns bringing back purple court border — AZCentral

On Tuesday, the Suns revealed their court design for Talking Stick Resort Arena for the upcoming season and it brings back the purple border

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