Cohen (l) said that the search for a new, long-term arena solution continues to press ongetty images
AHRON COHEN has been "officially promoted" to Coyotes President & CEO, "effectively replacing STEVE PATTERSON, who was hired in July of last year" as CEO, according to Richard Morin of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The 34-year-old Cohen was originally hired by the Coyotes in '15 as General Counsel and most recently served as COO. Patterson, the former Arizona State and Texas AD, will "continue to work with the organization as a consultant and adviser." Cohen said Patterson "has a number of other business ventures that he's involved in and decided it was the right time for him to move along." Morin noted one of Patterson's tasks over the past year was to "spearhead the Coyotes' search for a new, long-term arena solution." The Coyotes have nothing yet to report on that issue, but Cohen said that the search "continues to press on." Cohen said that what makes him "most excited is the 'collective vision' he shares" about the team with Owner ANDREW BARROWAY and President of Hockey Operations & GM JOHN CHAYKA. Cohen added that everyone in the triumvirate has "faith in one another for how they carry out their respective jobs, such as how Chayka is building the on-ice product and how Barroway continues to value a strong presence in the community" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/4).
ANOTHER MOVING DAY: In Portland, John Canzano writes the "rub is that Patterson never delivered much in the way of traction on his mission to help the Coyotes find a permanent arena solution." Patterson's career path since leaving the Trail Blazers in '07 shows that he has "cycled through jobs in the NHL (Coyotes) and college athletics (Arizona State and Texas)." Patterson is "well connected," but he just "always seems to struggle to consistently connect with people and he operates with deep insecurity that taints his moves" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/5).
