Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation Named Key Pillar in Galvin’s Plan to Bring NHL Back
PHOENIX, Ariz.– Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin has announced a strategic plan and advisory committee of visionary leaders dedicated to bringing the NHL back to Arizona. The main pillars of the strategic plan include securing ownership and arena location alongside on-going community outreach for the sport of hockey. The Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation, a charitable organization supporting the growth of hockey, is responsible for developing and championing community outreach.
With the departure of the Arizona Coyotes and the loss of its community outreach, the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation’s programming was launched to supplement the continuous efforts in growing hockey in Arizona specifically addressing areas where additional support is needed.
The non-profit works to provide accessible avenues for aspiring players of all ages to develop their skills, camaraderie and passion for hockey.
“We are excited to continue introducing hockey to the local communities and build an everlasting love for the game,” Lyndsey Fry, co-founder of the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation said. “We know the importance of having a NHL team in Arizona, and we will do our part to preserve and grow the game to hopefully pioneer a new era of the Arizona Coyotes in the future.”
The Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation was established in memory of Matt Shott, a pioneer who initiated many of the NHL youth programs in Arizona. During Shott’s 10-year tenure as an employee of the Arizona Coyotes, he developed and supported several growth programs before his passing in 2021 at the age of 34. These programs include youth and adult learn-to-play, female hockey, roller hockey, street hockey, sled hockey and special hockey.
The Foundation currently provides youth programming out of rinks in Tucson, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria and Mesa as well as adult programming through the Mesa, Peoria and Gilbert rinks. Learn-to-play efforts rotate throughout the Valley as well as local opportunities for indoor street hockey hosted at schools or community centers. School clinics include physical education programming where coaches teach sport to students over several weeks in a school.
The Foundation also offers a gear upcycling program to make the game of hockey more affordable and accessible to all. Through this program, the Foundation collects donated equipment throughout the Valley, thoroughly inspects and cleans the gear, and then distributes it to those in need who are wanting to try the sport of hockey. Donations are always accepted, and bins can be found at AZ Ice Gilbert and Peoria.
Community members are encouraged to “Take the Pledge” to grow hockey in Arizona. As hockey continues to thrive in Arizona, individual commitment will help expand access, foster young talent and build a stronger hockey community. With this pledge, individuals showcase their support for local teams, youth participation and ensuring hockey remains a vibrant and exciting part of Arizona’s sports culture. For more information about the pledge, donation and volunteer opportunities visit www.azhockeylegacy.org.
Here are some additional sites or accounts to follow if you want to keep abreast of developments, youth hockey, or get involved with the effort to bring NHL hockey back to Arizona:
• On the web: nhltoarizona.com & azhockeylegacy.com
• On X (Twitter): @azhockeylegacy & @ThomasGalvin
• On Instagram: @nhltoarizona & @azhockeylegacy
• On YouTube: @NHLtoArizona
About the Matt Shott Hockey Legacy Foundation
The Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to support hockey programming and the growth of the sport in Arizona. The foundation was established in memory of Matt Shott, a pioneer who initiated many of the NHL youth programs in Arizona. The Foundation is committed to continuing Shott’s legacy by providing opportunities for the community to engage in the sport he was so passionate about. For more information about the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation, visit www.azhockeylegacy.org.