Arizona Coyotes celebrate 20 years in the Valley

Feb 18, 2017, 7:40 PM | Updated: 9:43 pm

To the original #Coyotes:

Thank you. #ARI20NA pic.twitter.com/63sPRln4pA
— #ARI20NA (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 19, 2017

BY MATT LAYMAN

Arizona Sports

Now that they’ve been in the Phoenix area for 20 years, the Arizona Coyotes are celebrating with a visit from alumni, throwback jerseys and more.

For their game against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena on Saturday, which included a Keith Tkachuk bobblehead giveaway, the Coyotes paraded their former stars and current players, all donned in the classic black “Kachina” jerseys.

Just a kid who loves the game. #ARI20NA

📸: @azjordon pic.twitter.com/LSCoqOMa7s

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 19, 2017

Didn't make it in time for one of these guys?

Might want to keep your 👀 on our accounts tonight! #ARI20NA pic.twitter.com/rAKACaGtqX

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 19, 2017

The Yotes also rolled out their “All-Time Starting Six,” which includes three current players: goaltender Mike Smith, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and the captain Shane Doan. The alumni in the Starting Six included Teppo Numminen, Jeremy Roenick and Keith Tkachuk.

Doan is the Coyotes’ all-time leader in goals (401), assists (563) games played (1523). Smith has the third-lowest goals against average (2.67) and save percentage (.916) among goalies who played at least 100 games, and Ekman-Larsson led NHL defensemen in goals with 23 in the 2014-15 season.

Numminen scored 108 goals and was the captain for two seasons in Arizona, posting the second-highest plus-minus rating in team history (+42). Tkachuk was the very first captain in the desert, scoring 40 game-winning goals and the fourth-most points in franchise history. Jeremy Roenick’s 152 goals are the third-most by a Coyotes center to go along with 227 assists and 43 power play goals.

Some of the earlier players in team history were critical part of hockey’s growth in the Valley.

Our All-Time Starting 6. #ARI20NA pic.twitter.com/kscE3IIZeK

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 19, 2017

Grateful. #ARI20NA pic.twitter.com/W3JKw933eb

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 19, 2017

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, right, celebrates with center Melker Karlsson after scoring against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes' Mike Smith wears an autographed drawing of rock legend Alice Cooper on the back of his goalie helmet during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Thursday, March 5, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson, right, left, vies for the puck with Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Luke Schenn, right, checks San Jose Sharks right wing Kevin Labanc during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith blocks a shot from San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson left, left, vies for the puck with San Jose Sharks center Chris Tierney during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson, right, scores over Arizona Coyotes defenseman Luke Schenn during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith cannot stop a goal by San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Luke Schenn, left, vies for the puck with San Jose Sharks center Micheal Haley during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, right, blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks center Chris Tierney during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

San Jose Sharks goalie Aaron Dell, left, blocks a shot by Arizona Coyotes left wing Brendan Perlini during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes right wing Josh Jooris, left, checks San Jose Sharks right wing Kevin Labanc during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy, right, vies for the puck with San Jose Sharks left wing Mikkel Boedker during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns smiles after scoring his second goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, left, vies for the puck with San Jose Sharks center Micheal Haley during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson (68) goes over the top of Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski celebrates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton, right, knocks the puck away from Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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