Phoenix Coyotes

The Phoenix Coyotes play in the Pacific Division of the NHL's Western Conference. Since moving to Phoenix in 1996, the Coyotes have never appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals. Since 2005, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Wayne Gretzky has been head coach and part owner of the team.

In May of 2009, owner Jerry Moyes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and subsequently received an offer to sell the team to Jim Bastille and allow it to move to Ontario. The NHL stepped in after hearing of the news, removing control from Moyes and ordering for the dismissal of the bankruptcy case.CBSSports.com: NHL says it controls Coyotes, seeks dismissal of filing The bankruptcy judge ruled that deadline of July 29, 2009, set by Bastille was not enough time to resolve the case and the sale of the team to Bastille would be temporarily blocked.http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/story/11859498

In December of 2008, ESPN reported that the NHL is helping the team find new investors or owners to help with the team's financial problems.ESPN.com: NHL Helping Phoenix Coyotes Find Investors Or New Owners... On January 23, 2009, Coyotes Chairman and CEO Jeff Shumway resigned, handing his duties over to team owner Jerry Moyes.CBSSports.com: Shumway Resigns as Chairman, CEO of ... Troubled Coyotes Although the team is looking for new owners, there are no plans to relocate the franchise.CBSSports.com: Coyotes Might Get New Ownership, but Team Staying...

On May 5, 2009, Research in Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie made a conditional offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, after they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The sale is conditional on the agreement to relocate the team to their former home of Ontario, Canada. After hearing of the proposal, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stripped owner Jerry Moyes of all power over the club, noting specifically that the team would not move to Ontario.CBSSports.com: NHL Strips Coyotes Owner of Authority, Opposes Move to Canada

The franchise was originally founded in 1972 as the Winnipeg Jets, part of the World Hockey Association. The Jets won the WHA Championship, the Avco World Trophy, three of their seven years in the league. In 1979, they joined the NHL. Jets' owners were forced to sell the team in 1996 and the franchise was purchased by Phoenix business men who moved the team to Arizona.