Arizona Coyotes suffer yet another humiliation

Just when it seems that the Arizona Coyotes can't scrape the bottom of the barrel any further, it somehow manages to happen. Of course, we're all aware of their years of ownership issues, putting their future as an NHL franchise in serious doubt over the past decades. You would think that the fact that they were essentially kicked out of the arena they'd called home since late 2003 and forced to play in a collegiate rink that they wouldn't even have first billing rights on would be the ultimate embarrassment. 

Not any longer. 

The Coyotes announced today that their new ECHL affiliate is the Atlanta Gladiators. So, what's the issue? The Gladiators play in Gas South Arena, which seats 13,000 for hockey. That's nearly 3 times the capacity that the Coyotes will be playing in front of this season at Arizona State University. 

"We are very pleased to once again partner with the Atlanta Gladiators as our new ECHL affiliate," said Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong. "The Gladiators are a first-class organization with a loyal and passionate fan base. We look forward to working with Gladiators President Jerry James and Head Coach Jeff Pyle this season."

"We're incredibly excited to be partnering with the Arizona Coyotes and the Tucson Roadrunners as our NHL and AHL affiliates," said Gladiators President Jerry James. "The Coyotes organization has done a phenomenal job developing young players, and we're thrilled to be a part of that pipeline."

We know that the Coyotes do have a small group of dedicated fans who have stuck with them through thick and thin, and we certainly feel for them at this point. 

Arizona had played the previous 18 years at Gila River Arena in Glendale before complications with their lease on the arena as well as the city government necessitated their departure. Their new temporary home while a more permanent solution is explored was recently named "Mullet Arena".