The Arizona Coyotes are planning to make an announcement on a new Valley arena within the next couple weeks.
One of the most frequently floated scenarios is a joint arena with the Arizona State Sun Devils' hockey team near ASU campus in Tempe.
Coyotes captain Shane Doan wouldn't mind seeing that scenario play out.
"I think that's important for the organization to be in a partnership with people that want you there, and if that works out, that'd be pretty amazing," Doan said Monday during Coyotes locker clean-out day.
The Sun Devils probably think a partnership with the Coyotes would be pretty amazing, too. The team, which moved up to the NCAA Division I level last season, currently plays at Tempe's Oceanside Ice Arena, which has a seating capacity of under 1,000.
ASU and the Coyotes already have a strong relationship. Last season, the Sun Devils played four home games on the Coyotes' current home ice of Gila River Arena in Glendale.
"Obviously the name of ASU and everything that it does is pretty special here in the state, and they've got a lot of credibility, so it'd be nice," Doan said.
Tempe is one of three long-rumored locations for a new Coyotes arena. Scottsdale and Phoenix are the others, though Phoenix is considered the least likely of the possibilities.
In January, ESPN reported a joint arena with ASU is the most likely outcome. A subsequent ABC15 Twitter poll showed two-thirds of Coyotes fans would attend more games if the team relocated to the East Valley.
The only thing we know for sure is the Coyotes are intent on leaving behind Gila River Arena and its rocky relationship with the City of Glendale. The Coyotes' current arena lease with Glendale expires after next season.
Doan said it'll be nice simply to be in a situation in which the Coyotes are seen as a positive force in the city and community.
"I'm a fan of anybody that really wants us, and if they really want us, that always makes you feel good," he said.
