Coyotes purchase Springfield Falcons, plan relocation to Tucson

Apr 19, 2016, 8:34 AM

The Arizona Coyotes and Springfield Falcons announced Tuesday they’ve signed an agreement for the Coyotes to purchase the minor league club. The sale is contingent upon approval of the American Hockey League Board of Governors, finalizing closing conditions and signing an arena lease agreement.

If all goes smoothly, the plan is for the Coyotes to relocate the franchise to Tucson and have them play home games at the Tucson Convention Center in time for the 2016-17 season.

Tucson has had several minor league hockey franchises over the years: the Tucson Mavericks of the Central Hockey League (1975-76), the Tucson Icemen of the Southwest Hockey League (1976-77), the Tucson Rustlers of the Professional Hockey League (1978-79) and the Tucson Gila Monsters of the West Coast Hockey League (1997-99).

Prior to Springfield, the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate was located in Portland, Maine.

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