Coyotes President & CEO Xavier Gutierrez's search for a new GM was his "introduction to the hockey community," and he "found the people he spoke to, many whom he's never met, supportive of his position, which's he's held for only a few months, and willing and open to talk shop with him," according to Jose Romero of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Gutierrez said, "It was just the approach of 'we want to see you be successful, we want to see you make a good decision. First and foremost, it was learning about this amazing hockey community, players, general managers, presidents, owners, and so that was great. Second, it was great to learn people's different approaches. Whether they be style of play, whether it be how they build a hockey organization, what they emphasize." He added, "I haven't made any bones about the fact that I'm new to hockey, and that I still have a long way to go in terms of understanding the protocols of the league. I was very appreciative that it was very clear that they believe we're incredibly strong and stable as an ownership." Gutierrez has made a number of public appearances and "done interviews in which he's had to answer questions about the business side of the Coyotes, inquiries about the team's finances, layoffs and furloughs, turnover in the front office and the seemingly endless question of potential relocation from the Valley" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/28).
