Matthew Knies, hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, acknowledges the struggles hockey faces in the desert. Now, as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he's gearing up for his NHL debut in his home state, with a subtle dig at the Arizona Coyotes.
The Coyotes have been playing at Mullett Arena, seating 5,000, since 2022 due to lease issues with Gila River Arena. Complaints about the dressing rooms have surfaced from both home and away players.
While relocation talks swirl, it's worth noting that both Knies and teammate Auston Matthews hail from Arizona, hinting at hockey's presence in the state.