Roadrunners, Coyotes bring DEK hockey down south
Jul 26, 2018, 5:20 PM
(Twitter Photo/@RoadrunnersAHL)
(Twitter Photo/@RoadrunnersAHL)
Even though there isn’t much ice in Arizona, that’s not stopping the Arizona Coyotes and Tucson Roadrunners from expanding the sport of hockey to the younger generations.
In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Tucson, the NHL team and its affiliate unveiled a new DEK hockey rink at Doolen Middle School in Tucson.
The project, which had a total cost of $250,000, was the latest in an initiative launched in 2017 to build numerous rinks across the state.
“We’re very pleased to open our first DEK hockey rink in Tucson,” Roadrunners President Bob Hoffman said. “Our first two seasons in Tucson have been incredible and we are very encouraged by the tremendous support that we’ve received from our fans and corporate partners. This new DEK hockey rink will help teach kids how to play hockey and continue to grow our game. We look forward to a strong partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tucson.”
Other locations that have received DEK hockey rinks include Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale at Laguna Elementary and the YMCA in El Mirage.
“The vision of EMP Powerplay, the NHL, AHL, Arizona Coyotes, and the Tucson Roadrunners to bring hockey inter-cities is genius.” Mark Irvin, Vice Chair & Secretary of Rio Neuvo Board and Owner of Mark Irvin Commercial Real Estate Services said. “To have the first, of what we hope is many rinks throughout our community, at Doolen Middle School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson sites is ideal. Once again, I have been personally rewarded with a front row seat to folks who are driven, committed and brilliant.”
And they aren’t stopping there.
In addition to the rinks already built, the Coyotes organization has picked out a number of additional locations for the next DEK hockey rinks.
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