One major factor is their current home arena, which has a capacity of only 5,000 seats. Surprisingly, even with its smaller size compared to the average NHL rink, the Coyotes struggle to fill it up completely.
According to HockeyDB.com, a reliable source, the Mullett Arena had an average attendance of just 4,600 during the 2022-2023 season. To put things into perspective, this number falls below the attendance of 24 teams in the American Hockey League (AHL).
To shed more light on the matter, let's look at the Quebec Remparts, a strong team in the QMJHL. They consistently sell out all 18,259 seats at Quebec City's impressive Videotron Centre, especially during the playoffs. Even during regular season games, the junior franchise attracts an impressive average of over 9,700 passionate spectators on any given night.
It's worth mentioning that the Remparts had higher attendance numbers than any non-NHL team in North America last season, including AHL teams. This is quite remarkable, especially considering that Quebec City's population is less than one million. The city's unwavering passion for hockey exceeds all expectations.
The situation in Arizona has become strikingly similar, with the recent rejection by Tempe voters of the proposed arena for the Coyotes. This has put the team in a precarious position. As discussions continue, it's becoming evident that cities like Houston and Kansas City are emerging as strong contenders in the ongoing rumors about potential relocation destinations.
