GLENDALE -- Coyotes President Mike Nealy would like fans to know just how grateful the team is for their support during the abbreviated 2012-13 season.

“Our staff works hard on and off the ice, but without the fans this team doesn’t exist,” Nealy said. “So, we would be remiss if we didn’t thank the fans at every opportunity that we can. We thank them for coming out to our games and we thank them for standing by us - not only in the good times but in these uncertain times, too. And we thank them in advance for supporting us next year.”

The Coyotes enjoyed their highest season-ticket holder base since 1999 this season, and the team’s TV ratings on FOX sports Arizona skyrocketed – up 116 percent over last season.

“People watched us on TV in impressive numbers when they couldn’t make it out to Glendale and when we played on the road,” Nealy said. “That’s significant and it will help us when we’re trying to show to prospective partners that this entity is becoming more popular and that now is a good time to jump on board. That’s exciting to us.”

Nealy said he appreciates the consistent positive feedback the organization receives from fans about the experience they have when attending games and events at the arena.

Photo by Norm Hall.

"Even with our staff numbers reduced 40 percent over previous years, the Coyotes have a dedicated, hard-working staff and service has not suffered."

He added: "With less resources we have had to become more focused on getting things done. It’s a very goal-oriented group and a group that has stuck things out and delivered again this season. Our people aren’t sitting around saying ‘Woe is me’ because we don’t have an owner and we had to deal with a lockout. Instead they figure out how to get things done and say ‘Let’s do it.’”

Nealy is confident the ongoing search for an owner will end the way fans of the team want it to end – with the team staying in Arizona. He displayed that confidence during a break in the last home game on April 26 when he addressed the crowd over the PA system and ended his comments by saying “We’ll see you next year!”

“I believe the League wants this team here and they’re going to find a way to keep it here,” Nealy said. “There are a lot of active ownership groups that are vying to get this done and the League is working with them to get an ownership group in place and then a viable arena lease with the City of Glendale. I believe that’s going to happen in the near future. That’s why I said what I said to the fans at the last home game.”