The Coyotes made their home debut at Arizona State's Mullett Arena on Friday and the team's move to an NCAA-sized rink has “inspired reactions from around the NHL ranging from second-hand cringing to intense curiosity,” according to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.com. The Coyotes are “temporary tenants” at Mullett Arena, and the relationship between the team and ASU “hasn't been completely harmonious.” The Coyotes for their first four games “aren't using the Sun Devils' locker room,” instead “using the visiting locker rooms as their dressing area, while road teams are getting geared up in a temporary dressing room built on top of an adjoining ice rink in the building.” An annex being built next to the arena will "house NHL-quality dressing rooms and other facilities." But Coyotes President & CEO Xavier Gutierrez said that the team “expects to foster new fandom" on the ASU campus, with promotions like "Coyotes U, which has a specific student fan club in which they will have special-price tickets.” Wyshynski writes in turn, the Coyotes get “an infusion of youthful exuberance at each home game.” Many of the Coyotes players “appreciate the uniqueness of their temporary home.” Coyotes F Christian Fischer said, "I thought the energy of the crowd was great. Something that we've missed as players.” Fischer: "It's a fun place to play. ... It's loud, and the fans are cheering for us, that's all we really care about. It's a cool little rink.” Coyotes fans “expressed concerns about ticket prices and the lack of accoutrements one finds in larger arenas,” but they all “praised one thing: the geographical advantages of playing in Tempe" (ESPN.com, 10/31).
