Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

NHL's Coyotes likely won't howl in Winnipeg, Katz says

By: Bartley Kives

Posted: 04/27/2011 2:58 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 04/27/2011 6:38 PM | Updates

WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said he doesn’t believe the Phoenix Coyotes will return to the franchise’s birthplace – but he does expect another NHL franchise may very well wind up in the Manitoba capital.

Speaking to reporters outside his office this afternoon, Katz urged Winnipeg hockey fans not to believe every rumour they hear about the NHL’s return. He urged fans to discount all rumours about an imminent announcement at Portage & Main.

Listen

Hustler & Lawless: Mayor Sam Katz on the NHL's return to Winnipeg (.mp3, runs 8:52)

Related Items

Articles
- City councillor wades into NHL speculation
Columns
- Winnipeg only option for Thrashers sale: source

Katz said Winnipeg is ready and able to support an NHL team, but this ability allows the city to be used by the NHL to ramp up pressure on other markets. The mayor went on to say he did not believe the Phoenix Coyotes will return to Winnipeg, noting there may be other options available.

The NHL is trying to hammer out a deal to sell the Phoenix Coyotes to Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer. The league has owned the team for two years, but its efforts to sell the club to Hulsizer have stalled in recent months, primarily due to a successful campaign by Arizona taxpayer watchdog the Goldwater Institute, which opposes payments from the City of Glendale to Hulsizer.

A spokesman for Katz later said the mayor has long maintained he believed a club other than the Coyotes would be a more likely option for Winnipeg.

Katz did not outright name the Atlanta Thrashers.

History

Updated on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 6:38 PM CDT: Adds audio.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.