The
2000–01 Phoenix Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...
season was their fifth season in the
National Hockey League, the franchise's 22nd season in the NHL and 29th overall. Before the season began,
Wayne Gretzky became a part owner. The Coyotes failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since
1995
File:1995 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: O.J. Simpson is O. J. Simpson murder case, acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman from the 1994, year prior in "The Trial of the Century" in the United States; The ...
when they were known as the Winnipeg Jets.
Offseason
On June 2, 2000,
Wayne Gretzky was introduced by Phoenix Coyotes Owner & Chairman Steve Ellman as the managing partner of the Coyotes in charge of all hockey operations.
Gretzky did not officially begin his new role until February 15, 2001 — the date Ellman's ownership group completed the purchase of the Coyotes.
Among his first moves, Gretzky brought in proven
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup (french: La Coupe Stanley) is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, an ...
winners such as
Cliff Fletcher (as senior executive vice president) and Dave Draper (as vice president of scouting and player personnel) to direct the Coyotes' hockey operations department. Six months later, Gretzky added Michael Barnett, the former president of IMG Hockey, as the Coyotes' general manager.
Regular season
Captain
Keith Tkachuk was traded in March.
Final standings
Schedule and results
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St. Louis Blues (