Unfortunately, my first post back is also my last one. There is a part of me that feels some guilt for not updating this account since 2017, so apologies for not sticking around.
With that said, I would like to thank everyone who has ever interacted with this blog.
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I became a fan in the summer of 2009. I spent that summer trying to remember names and faces, reading up on the team’s history and figuring out what games I hope my family and I would attend. Every time we went to a game, the Coyotes would win- I literally thought I was some sort of good luck charm. Delusional, I know, but it only fueled my love for the team. Everything really felt official when my dad got me an Oliver Ekman-Larsson jersey after the 2012 playoffs. A player who I’ve watched get drafted, get called up and score his first goal. My favorite player. A couple years later, I got the jersey signed by him, something so simple that I will cherish forever.
At the moment, I feel numb. I know this sounds selfish considering how fortunate the Coyotes were given the multiple chances compared to other teams. Relocation of any team sucks even when I say that as a Coyotes fan. Now I can say that I share their pain, unfortunately. It’s almost as if these past few years of constant relocation rumors would have helped me somewhat prepare for if or when the time comes. Needless to say, I’m am not prepared.
As time winds down, it will slowly start to hit me that this is actually happening to a team that has meant so much to me for half of my life. I got to witness countless goals, comebacks, hat tricks (one of them being Shane Doan’s) and whiteouts. These memories will always live with me and I am forever grateful to have experienced these moments either in person or from the comfort of my home. I’m also grateful for the players who had stuck with this team through thick and thin. The ones who signed on when things weren’t looking up, the ones who continued to play hard in the mist of losing streaks and especially the ones who said they wanted to stay a Coyote.
I know no one from the team will read this but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for giving me something to cheer for and for the memories. It truly means more than anyone could ever know.