PHOENIX — When the Arizona Coyotes moved to Utah, the region's youth hockey team received some of the economic benefits. Longtime fans were devastated when the team played its final game at Mallett Arena a week ago.
However, in the days that followed, the foundation was laid for maintaining the momentum of the Valley's youth players even without an affiliation with a professional team.
Passionate leaders like Lindsey Fry, desert hockey advocate and co-founder of the Arizona Kachinas women's hockey club, help launch the Matt Schott Arizona Legacy Foundation did.
“I fell in love with the Mighty Ducks movies when I was little. For me, this is very personal because I am a direct beneficiary of the youth program and my parents didn't know anything about hockey. “We want to see this game continue to grow,” Frye told 12News.
Frye, along with other supporters, is looking for a way to avoid the financial fallout from the Coyotes' recent turmoil and, ultimately, their departure.
“This is an interesting time for the hockey community, and while hockey fans and players are sad to see NHLers go to Utah, there is a lot of uncertainty and question marks,” Frye said.
Some of the pros and profits that kept programs like Arizona Kachinas on the ice are more or less gone, threatening the growth of the game.
“To keep hockey growing, it is important that the public and everyone in the hockey community work together,” Frye said.
In addition to honoring her dear friend Matt Schott, an advocate for the sport of hockey, the Olympic medalist also decided to help establish a foundation to raise funds for youth and adult hockey programs. It is my mission.
“Literally, he dedicated his life to this and sacrificed a lot. Not just when he was working with the Coyotes, but a long time ago, he just wanted more kids to play the game. ,” Frye said.
Schott, who co-founded Arizona Kachinas with Fry five years ago, passed away in December 2021 after battling cancer.
“Now I think it's our responsibility to carry that on and continue that tradition and make sure we can get more kids into the game. It's difficult, but… That’s what we’re committed to,” she said.
Check out the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe now.
