Back in 1996, the NHL relocated the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, AZ in a very bold move, as they were looking to break into a very non-traditional hockey market. After years of struggling for attendance and being unable to secure a new arena deal, just 28 seasons after the move, the NHL would then relocate the team again, this time becoming the Utah Mammoth.
The departure left a massive hole in the heart of fans down in Phoenix that had supported the team for almost three decades, and given the youth programs that have built the likes of Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, it was certainly a tough decision for the NHL to make.
However, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman hasn't closed the door on a return to Phoenix, and while many assume that would need to involve former owner Alex Merulo, that isn't a guarantee. That leads us to Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who bought the team back in early 2023, and has made no secret of the fact that he would be interested in bringing hockey back to Phoenix.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
This is talk that seemingly isn't going away, and while addressing the Phoenix Suns departure from the NBA Playoffs, he again mentioned a desire to see hockey back in Arizona.
"I’m disappointed we don’t have hockey here," Ishbia said. "I support having hockey here in any way I can. I don’t really have control of that right now. But I do like hockey. I hope Phoenix gets hockey back.”
The talk of expansion has grown around the NHL in the past 18 months, and while cities like Quebec City, Houston and Atlanta are all set to make a major push, it's no secret that there's plenty of desire to get hockey back to Phoenix. Whether that's with Ishbia or not, only time will tell, but given that this topic seemingly won't go away, this won't be the last we hear of it in the near future.
