The 2002–03 Phoenix Coyotes season was their seventh season 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 ...

, the franchise's 24th season in the NHL and 31st overall. The Coyotes failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2000–01 season.

Offseason

Regular season

* January 8, 2003:

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 ...

goaltender

Michael Leighton Michael W. Leighton (born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. Play ...

earned a shutout in his NHL debut in a 0–0 tie against the Phoenix Coyotes. Coyotes goaltender Zac Bierk earned his first career shutout, although it was not his NHL debut. It was the first time that two goaltenders in the same game both earned their first career shutouts. The Coyotes finished the regular season having allowed the most power-play goals of all 30 NHL teams, with 77.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 9, 2002, , 1–4 , , 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. ...

( 2002–03) , , 0–1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 12, 2002, , 2–5 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 0–2–0–0 , , , - , 3, , October 14, 2002, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–2–0–0 , , , - , 4, , October 15, 2002, , 1–2 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–3–0–0 , , , - , 5, , October 17, 2002, , 3–5 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–4–0–0 , , , - , 6, , October 19, 2002, , 3–2 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 2–4–0–0 , , , - , 7, , October 22, 2002, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–4–0–0 , , , - , 8, , October 24, 2002, , 2–3 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–5–0–0 , , , - , 9, , October 26, 2002, , 1–6 , , align="left",

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–6–0–0 , , , - , 10, , October 28, 2002, , 2–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–6–0–1 , , , - , 11, , October 29, 2002, , 3–2 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 4–6–0–1 , , , - , 12, , October 31, 2002, , 2–6 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 4–7–0–1 , , , - , - , 13, , November 3, 2002, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 5–7–0–1 , , , - , 14, , November 7, 2002, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 6–7–0–1 , , , - , 15, , November 9, 2002, , 2–5 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–8–0–1 , , , - , 16, , November 11, 2002, , 2–4 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–9–0–1 , , , - , 17, , November 12, 2002, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–10–0–1 , , , - , 18, , November 15, 2002, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL sea ...

( 2002–03) , , 7–10–0–1 , , , - , 19, , November 17, 2002, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 7–10–1–1 , , , - , 20, , November 20, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 7–10–2–1 , , , - , 21, , November 22, 2002, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 7–10–3–1 , , , - , 22, , November 25, 2002, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 7–11–3–1 , , , - , 23, , November 27, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 7–11–4–1 , , , - , 24, , November 28, 2002, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 7–12–4–1 , , , - , 25, , November 30, 2002, , 3–2 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 8–12–4–1 , , , - , - , 26, , December 3, 2002, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 8–12–4–2 , , , - , 27, , December 5, 2002, , 3–5 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 8–13–4–2 , , , - , 28, , December 7, 2002, , 2–4 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 8–14–4–2 , , , - , 29, , December 9, 2002, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 8–14–5–2 , , , - , 30, , December 11, 2002, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 9–14–5–2 , , , - , 31, , December 13, 2002, , 3–4 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 9–15–5–2 , , , - , 32, , December 15, 2002, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 10–15–5–2 , , , - , 33, , December 17, 2002, , 5–2 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 11–15–5–2 , , , - , 34, , December 20, 2002, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 11–15–6–2 , , , - , 35, , December 22, 2002, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 11–16–6–2 , , , - , 36, , December 26, 2002, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 11–16–6–3 , , , - , 37, , December 28, 2002, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 12–16–6–3 , , , - , 38, , December 30, 2002, , 4–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 13–16–6–3 , , , - , - , 39, , January 1, 2003, , 2–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 14–16–6–3 , , , - , 40, , January 3, 2003, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 15–16–6–3 , , , - , 41, , January 4, 2003, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 15–17–6–3 , , , - , 42, , January 8, 2003, , 0–0 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 15–17–7–3 , , , - , 43, , January 10, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 15–18–7–3 , , , - , 44, , January 11, 2003, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 15–18–7–4 , , , - , 45, , January 14, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 15–19–7–4 , , , - , 46, , January 18, 2003, , 0–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 15–20–7–4 , , , - , 47, , January 20, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 16–20–7–4 , , , - , 48, , January 23, 2003, , 7–1 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 17–20–7–4 , , , - , 49, , January 24, 2003, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 18–20–7–4 , , , - , 50, , January 26, 2003, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 18–21–7–4 , , , - , 51, , January 28, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 19–21–7–4 , , , - , - , 52, , February 5, 2003, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 19–22–7–4 , , , - , 53, , February 7, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 19–23–7–4 , , , - , 54, , February 8, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 19–24–7–4 , , , - , 55, , February 12, 2003, , 0–3 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 19–25–7–4 , , , - , 56, , February 14, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 20–25–7–4 , , , - , 57, , February 15, 2003, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 21–25–7–4 , , , - , 58, , February 18, 2003, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 22–25–7–4 , , , - , 59, , February 20, 2003, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 23–25–7–4 , , , - , 60, , February 21, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 23–25–8–4 , , , - , 61, , February 23, 2003, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 23–26–8–4 , , , - , 62, , February 26, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 24–26–8–4 , , , - , 63, , February 28, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 25–26–8–4 , , , - , - , 64, , March 2, 2003, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 25–27–8–4 , , , - , 65, , March 4, 2003, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 26–27–8–4 , , , - , 66, , March 6, 2003, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 26–28–8–4 , , , - , 67, , March 8, 2003, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–28–8–4 , , , - , 68, , March 10, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 27–28–9–4 , , , - , 69, , March 12, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–29–9–4 , , , - , 70, , March 14, 2003, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–30–9–4 , , , - , 71, , March 15, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 28–30–9–4 , , , - , 72, , March 18, 2003, , 2–1 , , 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 ...

( 2002–03) , , 29–30–9–4 , , , - , 73, , March 20, 2003, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 30–30–9–4 , , , - , 74, , March 22, 2003, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 30–31–9–4 , , , - , 75, , March 24, 2003, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 30–32–9–4 , , , - , 76, , March 26, 2003, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 30–33–9–4 , , , - , 77, , March 27, 2003, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 30–34–9–4 , , , - , 78, , March 29, 2003, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 30–35–9–4 , , , - , 79, , March 31, 2003, , 4–5 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 30–35–9–5 , , , - , - , 80, , April 2, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 30–35–10–5 , , , - , 81, , April 4, 2003, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 31–35–10–5 , , , - , 82, , April 6, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 31–35–11–5 , , , - , - , ''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.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only.''

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Coyotes were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the

2002 Stanley Cup Finals The 2002 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2001–02 season, and the culmination of the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and t ...

, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the

2003 Stanley Cup Finals The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated th ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Phoenix's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the

Air Canada Centre Scotiabank Arena (SBA), formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purposed arena located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and t ...

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2002-03 Phoenix Coyotes season Pho Arizona Coyotes seasons