Andrew Barroway reaffirms commitment to keeping Coyotes in Arizona
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSMoore, McLellan on the Coyotes entering a ‘new era’ | 1:35
azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore and Sarah McLellan on the Coyotes’ changes on and off the ice.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSGreg Moore on the Coyotes’ changes | 1:33
azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ plan to better engage with Arizona fans.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes introduce new coach, president | 42:44
The Arizona Coyotes introduced new coach Rick Tocchet and president Steve Patterson at a news conference in Glendale on July 13, 2017. Thomas Hawthorne/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Tocchet a good fit for Coyotes? | 1:57
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Sarah McLellan discuss the Coyotes’ coaching situation and the Diamondbacks in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDylan Strome works out at Coyotes Development Camp | 0:48
Forward Dylan Strome is a top prospect for the Coyotes. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSMike Smith rips Coyotes; Cards’ RB ranked | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley, discuss former Coyotes goalie Mike Smith’s comments about the team and the NFL Top 100 rankings.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes begin prospect development camp | 0:50
The Coyotes’ prospects are skating this week in the Valley as part of the team’s annual development camp.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes part ways with coach Dave Tippett | 0:50
Arizona Coyotes part ways with coach Dave Tippett. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: What does Doan’s dismissal mean? | 1:55
azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Sarah McLellan discuss the aftershock of the Coyotes’ decision to part ways with Shane Doan.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes part ways with Shane Doan | 0:38
Coyotes captain Shane Doan will not return to the team. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes trade starting goalie Mike Smith to Flames | 0:58
Mike Smith leaves Arizona as a record-holding goaltender. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWhich Arizona Coyotes player could be taken by the Vegas Golden Knights? | 1:06
The Coyotes are set to lose one player to Vegas in the NHL expansion draft. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes’ Clayton Keller on his first year in the NHL | 1:59
Coyotes rookie Clayton Keller talks with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan about his first year in the NHL as the team cleans out its lockers following the end of the season on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes rookie Christian Dvorak on ‘year of ups and downs’ | 1:40
Coyotes rookie center Christian Dvorak talks with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan about his ups and downs throughout his first NHL season on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes’ Jakob Chychrun sums up rookie season | 2:17
Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun discusses his rookie season with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan at Gila River Arena on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShane Doan at Coyotes’ season-ending press conference | 1:54
Arizona Coyotes’ Shane Doan discusses the uncertainty that surrounds his future at a season-ending press conference on Monday at Gila River Arena. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSMax Domi talks to Sarah McLellan about offseason goals, plans | 1:16
Arizona Coyotes winger Max Domi talks with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan about his plans and goals for the offseason as the Coyotes cleaned out lockers on Monday at Gila River Arena. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes coach Dave Tippett wraps up 2016-17 season | 2:01
Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett sums up the 2016-17 season and looks forward to what is needed to improve next year at a press conference at Gila River Arena on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Wild | 0:31
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Wild.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes conclude season with 3-1 loss to the Wild | 1:50
Coach Dave Tippett, captain Shane Doan, defenseman Zbynek Michalek and goalie Mike Smith react to the team’s final game of the season.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes recognize Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham | 0:50
Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham was recognized during a ceremonial puck drop before Saturday’s season finale.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Canucks | 0:35
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 4-3 win over the Canucks.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes react to win over Canucks | 1:17
Coach Dave Tippett, winger Radim Vrbata, winger Max Domi, center Alexander Burmistrov and defenseman Luke Schenn react to the win.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Young Coyotes standouts provide hope | 1:56
Three players emerge as the Coyotes’ season winds down. Sarah McLellan and Jay Dieffenbach discuss them, the NBA MVP race and more.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes fall in overtime to Stars | 0:46
Coach Dave Tippett, winger Max Domi, defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and winger Anthony Duclair react to Tuesday’s 3-2 loss in Dallas. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Stars | 0:28
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-2 overtime loss to the Stars on Tuesday.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Kings | 0:35
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 2-1 win over the Kings.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes eliminate Kings from playoffs with 2-1 win | 1:02
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, center Alexander Burmistrov and winger Anthony Duclair react to the win.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Capitals | 0:25
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 6-3 win over the Capitals.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes snap losing streak against Capitals | 0:58
Coach Dave Tippett, center Christian Dvorak, goalie Louis Domingue and center Alexander Burmistrov react to the 6-3 win.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues | 0:24
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Blues.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes react to 3-1 loss to Blues | 1:14
Coach Dave Tippett, defenseman Alex Goligoski, goalie Louis Domingue and winger Clayton Keller react to the loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues | 0:33
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 4-1 loss to the Blues. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes cap road trip with 4-1 loss to Blues | 0:58
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, winger Clayton Keller, center Alexander Burmistrov and defenseman Anthony DeAngelo react to the loss. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSForward Clayton Keller set to begin pro career with Coyotes | 0:47
Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Coyotes on Sunday, March 26, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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USA TODAY Sports’ A.J. Perez explains why the USA women’s hockey team is boycotting the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Capitals | 0:33
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and the minus in the 4-1 loss to the Capitals.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCapitals pull away from Coyotes with 3-goal third | 0:53
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith and center Jordan Martinook react to the 4-1 loss. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Panthers | 0:29
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Panthers.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSUnusual goal sparks Panthers to win over Coyotes | 1:15
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, winger Tobias Rieder and defenseman Jakob Chychrun react to the 3-1 loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Lightning | 0:38
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 5-3 win over the Lightning. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes rally past the Lightning | 0:54
Coach Dave Tippett, winger Radim Vrbata, winger Christian Fischer and winger Anthony Duclair react to the 5-3 win. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Predators | 0:30
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Predators.
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Coach Dave Tippett, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, winger Jamie McGinn and defenseman Zbynek Michalek.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues | 0:34
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-0 loss to the Blues.
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Coach Dave Tippett, defenseman Luke Schenn and goalie Mike Smith react to the loss on Saturday at Gila River Arena. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Red Wings | 0:36
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 5-4 shootout loss to the Red Wings.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes clipped by Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout | 1:20
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, winger Radim Vrbata and defenseman Jakob Chychrun react to the loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Kings | 0:31
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-2 shootout win over the Kings, Mar. 14, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes outlast Kings in 11-round shootout | 1:08
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Louis Domingue, defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and winger Max Domi react to the 3-2 shootout win against the Kings, Mar. 14, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Avalanche | 0:32
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 1-0 win over the Avalanche, Mar. 13, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCoyotes blank Avalanche 1-0 | 1:19
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, captain Shane Doan and winger Brendan Perlini react to the win, Mar. 13, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Devils | 0:34
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Once minor tweaks were dwarfed by massive subtractions and then followed up by impactful additions, it became clear the Coyotes were embracing a new vision.
But what was missing from the transition was an explanation from owner Andrew Barroway.
That clarity arrived Thursday at Gila River Arena, with Barroway speaking publicly for the first time since he became the sole owner when the team’s new regime was introduced, and the message he delivered highlighted his dedication to keeping the Coyotes in the Valley amid the ongoing pursuit of a permanent arena.
“The most important thing is to find a long-term home for the Coyotes in Arizona,” Barroway said. “We couldn’t be any more committed to Arizona and the Valley, and the biggest project at hand is to find a home in the right place for the Coyotes in Arizona.”
This isn’t a new ambition for the Coyotes, who have been plagued by arena uncertainty for years, but the brain trust guiding the team has changed. Rick Tocchet has taken over behind the bench as head coach, and former Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson is now team president and CEO. General Manager John Chayka’s role has also been underscored, as he’s added the title of president of hockey operation.
“Let’s put this to bed: We’re not relocating,” Barroway said.
Patterson is an experienced executive in pro sports who was involved in the financing and construction of Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium) in Houston, and he said the team is open to talking to anyone in the Valley interested in a partnership. The Coyotes are particularly intrigued by the East Valley.
“It will get done because it has to get done,” Barroway said. “Failure is not an option here. We’re going to get a new stadium in Arizona, where it should have been located to begin with.”
The Coyotes will play at Gila River Arena next season; they continue to evaluate their situation on a year-by-year basis but have yet to look at the 2018-19 season. Barroway’s focus has been on a long-term solution.
“I get up in the morning thinking about a new stadium,” said Barroway, who lives in the Valley full-time. “I go to sleep thinking about a new stadium. Once we get that, we’re going to be one of the premier places to play in the league.”
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azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ plan to better engage with Arizona fans.
Arizona has made moves to improve its on-ice product this offseason, acquiring Derek Stepan to be its No. 1 center, landing top-two defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and tabbing former backup Antti Raanta to replace Mike Smith in net after Smith was traded.
“We had the best offseason of any team in the NHL,” Barroway said. “We also got the most desired coach of anyone available in the league. The only issue now attracting free agents is, ‘What about your stadium issues?’ I, as the owner, have to solve that.”
Barroway became the only owner of the team June 12 when he bought out his minority partners. It was always his dream to own the team himself, and there were “too many cooks in the kitchen” with the previous group.
“No major disagreements,” he said. “But it’s hard to get 10 guys to agree on anything.”
The Coyotes will be strategic in their spending, Barroway said, but he wouldn’t identify where their budget would rank compared to their peers. He acknowledged, though, that they’ll have to spend more as their young players come off their entry-level contracts.
“I think we have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs this year,” he said. “I think we’re going to be a competitive team.”
Chayka is in charge of all hockey decisions, but Barroway is engaged in the discussion.
“We’ve agreed on everything so far,” he said. “We each have input, but John’s the hockey expert, and I certainly rely on him.”
Barroway was actively involved in the changes this summer, a roster retooling that included cutting ties with longtime captain Shane Doan. While Barroway said the decision to not offer Doan a contract was the right hockey move, he said he could have handled it better by telling Doan the news in person instead of having Chayka do it.
“I apologize to Shane and the fans,” he said. ” … With that said, it’s time to move forward. We’re trying to build a winning team, not a situation where we put out some players that some of the fans might like (and) we’re not going to be competitive anyway, so who cares? We’re here to win now, and I think you could see by some of our offseason moves. We’re going to build a team that can compete, and compete in the near-term.”
Doan’s departure preceded coach Dave Tippett’s exit. While the team anticipated a Tippett return and would have welcomed it, Tippett mentioned moving on, and the two sides agreed to mutually part.
“He thought it was the right time,” Barroway said. “ … There were no major issues there.”
The Coyotes have reassembled themselves since then, and Barroway doesn’t expect any more changes to the ownership structure.
“I have no exit strategy here,” the 51-year-old said. “I’m in this for life, and then my son (Jake) is going to University of Michigan, and he’s going to school to be the future governor of this team. So this is a family thing. This will be passed down through our family for generations.”
While plenty has been done this summer to patch holes and spruce up deficiencies, the work is far from over when it comes to resolving the arena issue.
And Barroway knows that.
“It’s the last piece of the puzzle,” he said. “We figured out the hockey side. We figured out, internally, the management side. Everything is running on all cylinders. This is the last big piece, but it’s a big piece. We need it to succeed. Once you have the stadium in the right location and then the fans love it, it generates more revenue. We can put the revenues back into the players. It becomes a virtuous cycle.”