Coyotes say they’ve executed a letter of intent to purchase land for a possible area in Mesa, Arizona

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes stated Wednesday that proprietor Alex Meruelo has executed a letter of intent to purchase a bit of land for a possible area in Mesa, Arizona, a optimistic growth for the NHL group in its prolonged search to discover a everlasting dwelling within the desert.

The transfer comes months after voters in Tempe rejected a referendum to assemble an area there. The Coyotes say they continue to be dedicated to constructing a privately funded rink and leisure district and proceed to discover different potential websites within the Phoenix space.

“We appreciate the tremendous support that we have received from many communities, elected officials and community leaders who have expressed their desire to see the Coyotes remain in the Valley permanently,” the group stated in a press release. “We would also like to thank NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly for their steadfast support of the club’s efforts to find a permanent arena solution and for their recognition that Arizona is a tremendous hockey market.”

The Coyotes are going into their second season at 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University. New NHL Players’ Association govt director Marty Walsh has raised considerations concerning the scenario there and stated the union would love the group to determine a sustainable long-term resolution.

At the draft in Nashville in late June, group president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez stated the Coyotes had recognized six doable websites for a brand new constructing within the east valley within the 101 Highway hall that covers the cities of Scottsdale, Phoenix and Mesa – none of which might require a public vote.

“We still want to put our money where our mouth is and build something that’ll be best in class,” Gutierrez stated on the time. “We were disappointed with the vote in Tempe, but we turned the page very quickly.”