The 2003–04 Phoenix Coyotes season was their eighth 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 25th season in the NHL and 32nd overall. For the second year in a row, the Coyotes failed to make the playoffs. It would be the first season the franchise would have playing their home games at the Glendale Arena. However, because the Glendale Arena didn't open until December 26, the first 13 home games were played at America West Arena. The Coyotes went 5–14–5–4 for 19 points in their new home arena.

Off-season

Phoenix went into the talent-rich 2003 NHL entry draft without a first or second-round draft choice, both having been traded in part for

Daymond Langkow Daymond Randolph Langkow (born September 27, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was the fifth overall selection of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL entry draft. He played junior hockey with the Tri-City America ...

in 2001 and Brad Ference at the 2003 trading deadline, respectively. They made their first selection in the third round, 77th overall, selecting centerman Tyler Redenbach. None of the eight players they drafted played a single NHL game. Defenseman and team captain

Teppo Numminen Teppo Kalevi Numminen (born July 3, 1968) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for Tappara and TuTo of the SM-liiga and the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars ...

was traded to the

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 ...

on July 22. Forward

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 ...

was named his replacement on the eve of training camp.

Regular season

Though the Coyotes finished last in their division (13th in the Conference), for a remarkable span in late December and early January, the team attracted the attention of the sports world, as goaltender

Brian Boucher Brian Boucher ( ; born January 2, 1977) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who is a game analyst on national TNT games and also Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He played 13 seasons in the National Ho ...

set an NHL record for consecutive

shutout In team sports, a shutout (North American English, US) or clean sheet (Commonwealth English, UK) is a game in which the losing team fails to score. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketba ...

s. From December 31 to January 9, Boucher and the Coyotes recorded five consecutive shut-out victories, outscoring their opponents 18–0 during the span. The streak was broken on January 11 in a game against the visiting

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 ...

, when

Randy Robitaille Randy M. Robitaille (born October 12, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He last played for HC Donbass of the Kontinental Hockey League. Robitaille has previously played for nine teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

scored on Boucher at 6:16 of the first period. Boucher's streak lasted 332:01, surpassing

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 ...

goaltender

Bill Durnan William Ronald Durnan (January 22, 1916 – October 31, 1972) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1943 and 1950. He was one of the best goaltenders in ...

's 1949 record by over 20 minutes. The Coyotes struggled after the streak, winning only six of their remaining 40 games. A winless streak of 15 games from February 21 to March 21 is the third longest in franchise history and the longest since the franchise moved to Arizona in 1996. Head coach Bob Francis was fired on February 24 and replaced by assistant coach

Rick Bowness Richard Gary Bowness (born January 25, 1955) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach and player. He was selected in the second round, 26th overall, by the Atlanta Flames in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft. Bowness has also played for the D ...

, who served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and throughout the

2004–05 NHL lockout The 2004–05 NHL lockout was a labor lockout that resulted in the cancellation of the National Hockey League (NHL) season, which would have been its 88th season of play. The main dispute was the league's desire to implement a salary cap to ...

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 10, 2003, , 2–1 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 1–0–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 12, 2003, , 2–0, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 2–0–0–0 , , , - , 3, , October 15, 2003, , 2–1, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–0–0–0 , , , - , 4, , October 16, 2003, , 1–5, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–1–0–0 , , , - , 5, , October 18, 2003, , 4–5, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–2–0–0 , , , - , 6, , October 23, 2003, , 4–5, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–3–0–0 , , , - , 7, , October 25, 2003, , 4–4 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–3–1–0 , , , - , 8, , October 26, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–3–2–0 , , , - , 9, , October 28, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align=left,

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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–3–3–0 , , , - , 10, , October 31, 2003, , 1–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 3–4–3–0 , , , - , - , 11, , November 1, 2003, , 3–7, , 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. ...

( 2003–04), , 3–5–3–0 , , , - , 12, , November 6, 2003, , 1–2, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 3–6–3–0 , , , - , 13, , November 8, 2003, , 4–3 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04) , , 4–6–3–0 , , , - , 14, , November 9, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04) , , 4–6–3–1 , , , - , 15, , November 13, 2003, , 3–2 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 5–6–3–1 , , , - , 16, , November 14, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 5–6–4–1 , , , - , 17, , November 16, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 5–6–5–1 , , , - , 18, , November 19, 2003, , 5–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 6–6–5–1 , , , - , 19, , November 21, 2003, , 0–5, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 6–7–5–1 , , , - , 20, , November 23, 2003, , 0–1, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 6–8–5–1 , , , - , 21, , November 24, 2003, , 2–5, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 6–9–5–1 , , , - , 22, , November 27, 2003, , 6–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 7–9–5–1 , , , - , 23, , November 30, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 7–9–6–1 , , , - , - , 24, , December 2, 2003, , 3–1, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 8–9–6–1 , , , - , 25, , December 4, 2003, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 9–9–6–1 , , , - , 26, , December 5, 2003, , 2–3, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 9–10–6–1 , , , - , 27, , December 7, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 9–10–7–1 , , , - , 28, , December 10, 2003, , 2–1, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 10–10–7–1 , , , - , 29, , December 12, 2003, , 3–3 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 10–10–8–1 , , , - , 30, , December 15, 2003, , 2–5, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 10–11–8–1 , , , - , 31, , December 18, 2003, , 4–4 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 10–11–9–1 , , , - , 32, , December 20, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 10–11–10–1 , , , - , 33, , December 22, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 10–11–11–1 , , , - , 34, , December 23, 2003, , 2–1, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 11–11–11–1 , , , - , 35, , December 27, 2003, , 1–3, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 11–12–11–1 , , , - , 36, , December 29, 2003, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 11–12–11–2 , , , - , 37, , December 31, 2003, , 4–0, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 12–12–11–2 , , , - , - , 38, , January 2, 2004, , 6–0, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 13–12–11–2 , , , - , 39, , January 4, 2004, , 3–0, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 14–12–11–2 , , , - , 40, , January 7, 2004, , 3–0, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 15–12–11–2 , , , - , 41, , January 9, 2004, , 2–0, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 16–12–11–2 , , , - , 42, , January 11, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 16–12–12–2 , , , - , 43, , January 13, 2004, , 1–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 16–13–12–2 , , , - , 44, , January 15, 2004, , 3–4, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 16–14–12–2 , , , - , 45, , January 16, 2004, , 3–3 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 16–14–13–2 , , , - , 46, , January 21, 2004, , 2–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 16–15–13–2 , , , - , 47, , January 22, 2004, , 2–1, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 17–15–13–2 , , , - , 48, , January 24, 2004, , 5–2, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 18–15–13–2 , , , - , 49, , January 27, 2004, , 1–2, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 18–16–13–2 , , , - , 50, , January 29, 2004, , 1–4, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 18–17–13–2 , , , - , 51, , January 31, 2004, , 4–5, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 18–18–13–2 , , , - , - , 52, , February 2, 2004, , 3–3 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 18–18–14–2 , , , - , 53, , February 4, 2004, , 4–5 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 18–18–14–3 , , , - , 54, , February 5, 2004, , 0–5, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 18–19–14–3 , , , - , 55, , February 11, 2004, , 3–5, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 18–20–14–3 , , , - , 56, , February 13, 2004, , 2–5, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 18–21–14–3 , , , - , 57, , February 14, 2004, , 3–2, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 19–21–14–3 , , , - , 58, , February 16, 2004, , 2–4, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 19–22–14–3 , , , - , 59, , February 18, 2004, , 2–5, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 19–23–14–3 , , , - , 60, , February 20, 2004, , 3–2, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–23–14–3 , , , - , 61, , February 21, 2004, , 2–8, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–24–14–3 , , , - , 62, , February 23, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–24–15–3 , , , - , 63, , February 25, 2004, , 3–4 OT, , 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 ...

( 2003–04), , 20–24–15–4 , , , - , 64, , February 27, 2004, , 2–7, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–25–15–4 , , , - , 65, , February 29, 2004, , 2–4, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 20–26–15–4 , , , - , - , 66, , March 2, 2004, , 4–5 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 20–26–15–5 , , , - , 67, , March 5, 2004, , 3–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–27–15–5 , , , - , 68, , March 7, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–27–16–5 , , , - , 69, , March 9, 2004, , 2–3, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 20–28–16–5 , , , - , 70, , March 10, 2004, , 1–3, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–29–16–5 , , , - , 71, , March 12, 2004, , 2–3, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–30–16–5 , , , - , 72, , March 14, 2004, , 1–4, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 20–31–16–5 , , , - , 73, , March 16, 2004, , 2–3 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–31–16–6 , , , - , 74, , March 18, 2004, , 1–1 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 20–31–17–6 , , , - , 75, , March 21, 2004, , 2–2 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 20–31–18–6 , , , - , 76, , March 22, 2004, , 3–2 OT, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 21–31–18–6 , , , - , 77, , March 24, 2004, , 0–4, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 21–32–18–6 , , , - , 78, , March 26, 2004, , 0–3, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 21–33–18–6 , , , - , 79, , March 28, 2004, , 2–4, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 21–34–18–6 , , , - , 80, , March 29, 2004, , 1–6, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 21–35–18–6 , , , - , 81, , March 31, 2004, , 0–1, , align=left, @

( 2003–04), , 21–36–18–6 , , , - , - , 82, , April 3, 2004, , 2–1 OT, , align=left,

( 2003–04), , 22–36–18–6 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

; 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

Records

set two modern day (since the 1943–44 season when the center ice red line was introduced) NHL records. From December 22, 2003, to January 11, 2004, Boucher went 332 minutes and 1 second without allowing a goal. From December 31, 2003, to January 9, 2004, Boucher recorded five shutouts in a row, which also set the modern day record for consecutive shutouts by a team.

Milestones

Transactions

The Coyotes were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after 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 ...

, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the

2004 Stanley Cup Finals The 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was the Stanley Cup Finals, championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2003–04 NHL season, 2003–04 season, and the culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Eastern Conference (NHL), Easter ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Phoenix's draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the

Gaylord Entertainment Center Bridgestone Arena (originally Nashville Arena, and formerly Gaylord Entertainment Center and Sommet Center) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Completed in 1996, it is the home of the Nashville Predat ...

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2003-04 Phoenix Coyotes season Pho Arizona Coyotes seasons