Converting from NCAA to NHL has more moving parts now and the facility's operator had to fit NHL updates into Arizona State's plans.
When it comes to the Arizona Coyotes this season, it's impossible to not mention the team's temporary home at Arizona State this year.
Converting the building from NCAA to NHL games has more moving parts now, and when the partnership was announced in February, OVG had to fit NHL updates into the plans.Since the Coyotes came on board, Mullett Arena was gifted with technology for replays, real-time stats and video on the benches. The ice floor implant was updated to suit the NHL regulations of pipes distanced three inches between each other.
The biggest missing piece for the arena lies with the ongoing construction of two new NHL-quality locker rooms at the Annex. The two story, 15,000 square-foot building located adjacent to the arena will be finished in December when the Coyotes return from a 14-game road trip. It will still take time for the NHL experience to fully settle into Mullett Arena, as the full ribbon board displays won’t be installed until January.
"It’s a unique situation, but they’re playing in a brand-new facility with all of the amenities of an NHL arena, with the exception of capacity," Luukko said.The Coyotes concluded their season-opening, six-game road trip Tuesday night with a 6-3 win at Columbus. Shayne Gostisbehere scored twice, and goalie Connor Ingram stopped 31 shots in his first win this season.