As more families from the northern U.S. and Canada relocate to the Valley, the Arizona Coyotes hope to ensure that children of those families grow up as fans of their local team.
The Coyotes will step up that effort beginning Friday when they'll offer a youth replica Coyotes jersey to kids 14 years and under in exchange for an adult jersey of any of the 29 other active NHL teams.
The exchange is based on the team's new "Raising Coyotes" program, which will begin before Friday's game against the Calgary Flames at Glendale's Gila River Arena. The promotion will continue on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens and Feb. 20 vs. the St. Louis Blues.
"There are a number of northerners who continue to spur the Valley's population growth. These new residents bring their traditions and allegiances with them to Arizona, including their love for the NHL team they grew up with," said Coyotes CMO John Pierce.
"We have a young and exciting team, and now we are going to help these parents give their children the same opportunity they had as kids -- to grow up rooting for their hometown team."
In addition, as part of the "Raising Coyotes" promotion, all kids 14 years and under will be admitted free to every remaining 2015-16 home game with the purchase of any adult ticket. The offer is available through the Gila River Arena box office and Ticketmaster.
All exchanged adult jerseys will be donated to Defending The Blue Line, a non-profit program that helps kids of military members participate in hockey.
