The Arizona Coyotes' era in the Grand Canyon State has officially ended with the team's relocation to Utah in 2024. The sale of the team to Jazz owner Ryan Smith was announced by NHL officials, who expressed gratitude to former owner Alex Meruelo for his commitment to the franchise and Arizona. The move marks the end of nearly three decades of support from loyal hockey fans in Arizona and adds Phoenix to the list of cities that have lost NHL franchises. While professional hockey may return to Arizona in the future, plans for a new stadium in North Phoenix have faced criticism and uncertainty. Despite the relocation, Meruelo retains the rights to reactivate the team within the next five years and remains committed to building a first-class sports arena without public financial support.