With insights from Gary Bettman, Richard & Taylor Burke, Bobby Smith, Shane Doan, Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenick, Teemu Selänne, Kris King, Ed Olczyk, Rich Nairn & Jerry Brown.
Nice work, Craig. I spent years covering New York team visits to America West as a reporter, and I spent a LOT of time at Sky Harbor coming to and going from the bankruptcy hearings and City Council meetings while I was with the League. The Coyotes are a special story and you told it very well. Cheers.
Great piece. Only missing the Ken Burns narration.
I'm sort of happy that people here have picked up on the "boo Bettman every time" thing simply because it's fun and I think he might be disappointed if he didn't get the wrestling heel reaction he's used to. HOWEVER, if anybody ever raises the cup at our arena we ought to be the one place where he gets applause instead.
Coincidental that possibly your best piece of writing came out days before subscriptions are to be renewed? Who knows. But my choice to subscribe again was made months ago (as I'm sure most of ours were). Thanks as always Craig.
Just in time for my renewal you drop yet another gem and yep, I renew. You keep delivering top shelf stuff. I so look forward to my morning reads by the pool with my pups, coffee and a story from you. Thanks
Nice piece. I was always curious why Selänne was moved. It just being a mistake is better than my presumption that the owner in Winnipeg was cutting costs before the move.
Man, what a great piece Craig. As always, thank you. I think all of us fans when we hear or see the relocation experts chime in about our team just need to refer them to or copy and paste the link for this. It has been 25 years of ups and downs and tons of bad luck, but hey, the Canucks have been around since ‘70 and haven’t won a cup yet,
I am sure a story like this could be spread out over 10 installments. Great insight, especially for us fans who didn't get the experience 'the beginning.'
I was at game 6 against the Ducks. What you wrote above about the setup and shot in OT mirrors my recollection exactly. Amazing how vivid in my mind that is still some 20-plus years ago.
Haven't had the chance the last few days to read the forum. So this morning, caught up on the new coach writeups, latest "On the Couch" and now this. My eyes hurt.
Nice work, Craig. I spent years covering New York team visits to America West as a reporter, and I spent a LOT of time at Sky Harbor coming to and going from the bankruptcy hearings and City Council meetings while I was with the League. The Coyotes are a special story and you told it very well. Cheers.
Thanks, Frank. Great to hear from you. I hope all is well.
Great piece. Only missing the Ken Burns narration.
I'm sort of happy that people here have picked up on the "boo Bettman every time" thing simply because it's fun and I think he might be disappointed if he didn't get the wrestling heel reaction he's used to. HOWEVER, if anybody ever raises the cup at our arena we ought to be the one place where he gets applause instead.
Literally nobody has done more to keep the team here than Gary. Nobody.
Coincidental that possibly your best piece of writing came out days before subscriptions are to be renewed? Who knows. But my choice to subscribe again was made months ago (as I'm sure most of ours were). Thanks as always Craig.
Haha! Just happened to fall at their 25th anniversary.
When is your next flagship anniversary in covering the Coyotes?
lol
??? Sorry, meant hallmark anniversary in your coverage (e.g. 15 years?)
Just in time for my renewal you drop yet another gem and yep, I renew. You keep delivering top shelf stuff. I so look forward to my morning reads by the pool with my pups, coffee and a story from you. Thanks
Aw, thanks, bud.
The neck collar on the Kachina sweaters give you burns in all your fights.
Solid tidbit there.
I had no place for it in my story, but I still have to work it in.
Geez Craig.
You made me relive the pain of watching my beloved Jets taken away from me.
You made me relive the anger of them trading Teemu for absolutely nothing.
And gave me the horror that I’m going to find rattlesnakes in my pool when I finally become a full time snowbird.
Haha. All good. Awesome article.
Thanks, Dan… and sorry.
Nice piece. I was always curious why Selänne was moved. It just being a mistake is better than my presumption that the owner in Winnipeg was cutting costs before the move.
Richard was wonderfully honest and introspective about that one, wasn’t he?
Wonderful piece. I imagine there's enough stuff for a book what with everything that has happened in the last 25 years!!
A lot of people have asked me that very question.
Man, what a great piece Craig. As always, thank you. I think all of us fans when we hear or see the relocation experts chime in about our team just need to refer them to or copy and paste the link for this. It has been 25 years of ups and downs and tons of bad luck, but hey, the Canucks have been around since ‘70 and haven’t won a cup yet,
I can patiently wait….
Given this summer‘s plans, patience will be required.
Great article Craig! And you were right you did talk to a lot of people! I love this franchise and I hope it will be around at least another 25 years.
Thanks, Lisa.
I am sure a story like this could be spread out over 10 installments. Great insight, especially for us fans who didn't get the experience 'the beginning.'
Apologies if you think it should’ve been spread out over 10 installments. 😳
Haha! No, not at all. I just meant that I am sure there is a vault's worth of stories that could be told about the beginnings of the team.
Great article...Along with all the rest of your best. THANKS
Thanks, Robert.
I was at game 6 against the Ducks. What you wrote above about the setup and shot in OT mirrors my recollection exactly. Amazing how vivid in my mind that is still some 20-plus years ago.
Great story Craig!
Thank you!
Great trip down memory lane, Craig. Thank you for this and all the other great articles in your first year on your own. You deserve some time off!
Thanks, Todd. On vacation as of today. But as we all know by now, it’s a working vacation.
Haven't had the chance the last few days to read the forum. So this morning, caught up on the new coach writeups, latest "On the Couch" and now this. My eyes hurt.
But always worth it. Thanks Craig! Great piece!
Haha! My eyes hurt as well. I am taking today off.