The Arizona Coyotes’ tumultuous journey has officially come to an end, as reports suggest their move to Salt Lake City is all but confirmed, bringing a close to nearly three decades in Arizona. After finishing 7th in the Central Division and missing the playoffs, the Coyotes bid farewell with a 5-2 win over the Oilers—a fitting end to a rocky but memorable era.
In a twist befitting the team’s storied past, Coyotes legend Shane Doan, now an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was reunited with a banner commemorating his retirement. The banner, intended to be preserved as a tribute, was instead reportedly tossed into a dumpster after being left behind at Gila River Arena. Fortunately, a dedicated fan salvaged it and returned it to Doan in an emotional reunion, creating a remarkable closing chapter to the franchise’s Arizona legacy.
Arizona Radio host John Gambadoro shed light on the banner’s bizarre fate, claiming the arena’s owners discarded it out of spite without notifying the team or Doan. If true, the story adds a bitter note to the Coyotes’ already contentious exit from Arizona. However, Doan’s reunion with the banner brings a sense of closure to his legacy, even as the team embarks on a new chapter in Utah.
