The 1996–97 Phoenix Coyotes season was the team's first of 28 seasons in Arizona in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL) since relocating from

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

the season prior. The franchise's 25th season since its founding in 1972, and 18th season in the National Hockey League since 1979.

Off-season

The Winnipeg Jets team was sold to Phoenix businessmen Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke, and in

1996 1996 was designated as: * International Year for the Eradication of Poverty Events January * January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...

, the club moved to

Arizona Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...

and became the Phoenix Coyotes. In the summer that the move took place, the franchise saw the exit of Jets stars like Teemu Selanne and Alexei Zhamnov, while the team added established superstar

Jeremy Roenick Jeremy Shaffer Roenick ( ; born January 17, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 8th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Chica ...

from the

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

Regular season

Roenick teamed up with power wingers

Keith Tkachuk Keith Matthew Tkachuk (; born March 28, 1972) is an Americans, American former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) in an 18-year career with the Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996), Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes ...

and Rick Tocchet to form a dynamic 1–2–3 offensive punch that led the Coyotes through their first years in Arizona. Also impressive were young players like

Shane Doan Shane Albert Doan (born October 10, 1976) is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former player currently serving as an assistant to Brad Treliving for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Doan List of NHL players who spe ...

(who became the last remaining active original Jet in the NHL),

Oleg Tverdovsky Oleg Fedorovych Tverdovsky (; born 18 May 1976) is a Russians, Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played professionally from 1994 to 2013. He was selected 2nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1994 NH ...

and goaltender

Nikolai Khabibulin Nikolai Alexandrovich Khabibulin (; rus, Николай Александрович Хабибулин, p=xəbʲɪˈbulʲɪn, born January 13, 1973) is a Russian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Known by the nickname "The Bulin Wall", h ...

, whom the fans nicknamed the "Bulin Wall." Forward

was renamed captain, replacing Kris King.

Final standings

Playoffs

In their first year, the Coyotes managed to make the playoffs. However, they lost to the

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

4 games to 3 in round one.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , October 5, 1996, , 0–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1996–97) , , 0–1–0 , , , - , 2, , October 7, 1996, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 10, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–1–0 , , , - , 4, , October 12, 1996, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 3–1–0 , , , - , 5, , October 14, 1996, , 3–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–2–0 , , , - , 6, , October 18, 1996, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–3–0 , , , - , 7, , October 20, 1996, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–3–1 , , , - , 8, , October 22, 1996, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–4–1 , , , - , 9, , October 26, 1996, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–5–1 , , , - , 10, , October 28, 1996, , 5–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–5–1 , , , - , 11, , October 30, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 4–6–1 , , , - , - , 12, , November 1, 1996, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–6–1 , , , - , 13, , November 3, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 5–6–2 , , , - , 14, , November 6, 1996, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–7–2 , , , - , 15, , November 8, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–8–2 , , , - , 16, , November 14, 1996, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 5–9–2 , , , - , 17, , November 16, 1996, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 6–9–2 , , , - , 18, , November 18, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–9–3 , , , - , 19, , November 20, 1996, , 0–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 6–10–3 , , , - , 20, , November 21, 1996, , 3–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 6–11–3 , , , - , 21, , November 23, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–11–4 , , , - , 22, , November 26, 1996, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–12–4 , , , - , 23, , November 28, 1996, , 4–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–12–4 , , , - , 24, , November 30, 1996, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 8–12–4 , , , - , - , 25, , December 3, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–13–4 , , , - , 26, , December 5, 1996, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 9–13–4 , , , - , 27, , December 7, 1996, , 4–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–13–4 , , , - , 28, , December 9, 1996, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–14–4 , , , - , 29, , December 10, 1996, , 2–8 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–15–4 , , , - , 30, , December 13, 1996, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–15–4 , , , - , 31, , December 14, 1996, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 12–15–4 , , , - , 32, , December 17, 1996, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1996–97) , , 13–15–4 , , , - , 33, , December 20, 1996, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 14–15–4 , , , - , 34, , December 22, 1996, , 2–7 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 14–16–4 , , , - , 35, , December 23, 1996, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 15–16–4 , , , - , 36, , December 26, 1996, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 15–17–4 , , , - , 37, , December 27, 1996, , 7–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1996–97) , , 16–17–4 , , , - , 38, , December 30, 1996, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–17–4 , , , - , - , 39, , January 2, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–17–4 , , , - , 40, , January 3, 1997, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–18–4 , , , - , 41, , January 5, 1997, , 1–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 18–19–4 , , , - , 42, , January 9, 1997, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 18–20–4 , , , - , 43, , January 10, 1997, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–20–4 , , , - , 44, , January 12, 1997, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 19–21–4 , , , - , 45, , January 13, 1997, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–22–4 , , , - , 46, , January 15, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 19–23–4 , , , - , 47, , January 23, 1997, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 20–23–4 , , , - , 48, , January 25, 1997, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 21–23–4 , , , - , 49, , January 28, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–24–4 , , , - , 50, , January 29, 1997, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–24–4 , , , - , - , 51, , February 1, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1996–97) , , 22–25–4 , , , - , 52, , February 4, 1997, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 1996–97) , , 22–26–4 , , , - , 53, , February 6, 1997, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 23–26–4 , , , - , 54, , February 8, 1997, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 23–27–4 , , , - , 55, , February 10, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 24–27–4 , , , - , 56, , February 12, 1997, , 5–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 25–27–4 , , , - , 57, , February 13, 1997, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 25–28–4 , , , - , 58, , February 15, 1997, , 5–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 26–28–4 , , , - , 59, , February 18, 1997, , 6–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 27–28–4 , , , - , 60, , February 22, 1997, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–29–4 , , , - , 61, , February 24, 1997, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 27–30–4 , , , - , 62, , February 26, 1997, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–30–4 , , , - , 63, , February 27, 1997, , 2–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–31–4 , , , - , - , 64, , March 2, 1997, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 28–32–4 , , , - , 65, , March 5, 1997, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–32–4 , , , - , 66, , March 6, 1997, , 5–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 30–32–4 , , , - , 67, , March 8, 1997, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 31–32–4 , , , - , 68, , March 10, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 31–33–4 , , , - , 69, , March 12, 1997, , 5–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 31–33–5 , , , - , 70, , March 14, 1997, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 32–33–5 , , , - , 71, , March 17, 1997, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 33–33–5 , , , - , 72, , March 19, 1997, , 2–7 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 33–34–5 , , , - , 73, , March 20, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 34–34–5 , , , - , 74, , March 22, 1997, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 35–34–5 , , , - , 75, , March 27, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 35–34–6 , , , - , 76, , March 29, 1997, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 35–35–6 , , , - , - , 77, , April 1, 1997, , 7–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 36–35–6 , , , - , 78, , April 3, 1997, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 37–35–6 , , , - , 79, , April 6, 1997, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 37–36–6 , , , - , 80, , April 7, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 37–36–7 , , , - , 81, , April 9, 1997, , 4–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 37–37–7 , , , - , 82, , April 11, 1997, , 6–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 38–37–7 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 16, 1997 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Mighty Ducks lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 18, 1997 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Mighty Ducks lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 20, 1997 , , 4–1 , , align="left", Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Mighty Ducks lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 22, 1997 , , 2–0 , , align="left", Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Series tied 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , April 24, 1997 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Coyotes lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 27, 1997 , , 2–3 OT, , align="left", Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Series tied 3–3 , , , - , 7 , , April 29, 1997 , , 0–3 , , align="left", @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , Mighty Ducks win 4–3 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only.''

Goaltending

* '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only.''

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

Joining the Coyotes: Leaving the Coyotes:

Draft picks

Phoenix's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the

Kiel Center The Enterprise Center is an 18,096-seat arena located in Downtown St. Louis, downtown St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Its primary tenant is the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, but it is also used for other functions, such as ...

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Phoenix Coyotes season Arizona Coyotes seasons P