FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 13, 2016 GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- The Arizona Coyotes announced today that the team will build a new outdoor DEK hockey rink at Luke Air Force Base (LAFB) in Glendale, Arizona. The target date for the completion of the rink will be January 1, 2017. The rink will be strategically located next to the fitness center and pool grounds at the hub of all recreational activities for LAFB families. The cost of the project is $200,000.

"We are thrilled to partner with 56th Fighter Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Randy Kwiatkowski, Chief Master Sergeant Todd Kirsch and Executive Director of Fighter Country Partnership, Ron Sites on this exciting project," said Coyotes Majority Owner, Chairman and Governor Andrew Barroway. "The Coyotes are proud supporters of our military and we are honored to provide our troops and their families with a new DEK hockey rink that they can enjoy all year round."



"We expect the new DEK hockey rink to be very popular at Luke Air Force Base," said Valerie Bérubé, P4 Program Manager, 56th Mission Support Group for Luke Air Force Base. "We are excited about this opportunity to enhance the quality of life for the military community. We are honored and deeply grateful to the Coyotes and to Fighter Country Partnership for their thoughtful generosity and support."



The Coyotes have identified a number of additional sites in the Valley where the next DEK hockey rinks will be constructed. These rinks will allow kids and adults access to newly constructed, outdoor hockey rinks with an opportunity to learn and play DEK hockey. Prime consideration for the placement of rinks will be in local city or county parks or adjacent to managed youth development facilities. Details regarding the new sites will be announced soon.



"This is the beginning of a new initiative by the Coyotes, the NHL and the NHLPA to build several new DEK hockey rinks around the Valley and state," said Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc. "The Coyotes are committed to the Valley and to growing the great game of hockey in our state. We are thrilled to launch this effort with our great friends and partners at Luke Air Force Base."

The Coyotes home and season opener will take place on Saturday, October 15 versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Game time is 6 p.m. at Gila River Arena. For more information on Coyotes tickets, please call 480-563-PUCK (7825).