"On behalf of our Owner, Chairman & Governor Alex Meruelo, and the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, we are excited to once again celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month," said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. "Alex and I are very proud of our Latino heritage and look forward to recognizing numerous Hispanic leaders, businesses and non-profit organizations that positively impact our community. This month is about raising awareness and celebrating our rich and diverse culture as well as engaging with and embracing our great community."
Beginning in October, the Coyotes, Univision Arizona, and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will recognize a Latino Business of the Month at one home game each month throughout the 2021-22 season. Businesses must be a member of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and will be selected by the Coyotes in consultation with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber leadership and the Coyotes Latino Advisory Committee. Each month's winner will receive a suite for a Coyotes game during which they will be recognized on the videoboard at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes will visit each winning business to announce their selection and present the owner of the company with a jersey and invitation to attend the game as a guest of the team. Winning businesses will also be part of a Coyotes promotional campaign and be recognized across the team's various digital media platforms.
In addition, Univision Arizona will create video and audio content to promote this campaign and will distribute this content across its media channels (radio, TV, digital). Univision Arizona will also promote and market the winning businesses on their media channels throughout the season.
"We are thrilled to partner with Univision Arizona and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to support local Latino-owned small businesses," added Gutierrez. "We hope that our tremendous fans support these great companies throughout Hispanic Heritage Month."
On October 6, Coyotes legend and Chief Hockey Development Officer Shane Doan and President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez along with the team's hockey development staff will be visiting the YMCA in El Mirage from 4-6 p.m. to introduce kids to the great game of hockey and provide them with an instructional clinic.
The Coyotes will also be holding a "Los Howlitos" hockey clinic at AZ Ice Peoria on Oct. 13 (time TBD). The Spanish language "Learn to Skate" program is believed to be one of the first in the NHL. Kids will be driven to the rink, fitted with skates, and will be provided with on ice instruction. All kids participating in both clinics will receive a special Coyotes ticket package, themed folders, coloring pages and stickers.
"Hockey is for everyone, and we are excited to bring our great game to Latino kids during Hispanic Heritage Month," said Doan. "Through our great sport, we hope to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities."
Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez will also take part in a school assembly at Arizona Desert Academy in in Tolleson on Sept. 29 from 9:30-10:00 a.m. Gutierrez will be on hand to speak to kids about his personal journey and raise awareness about the Coyotes and the great game of hockey.
The Coyotes will conclude Hispanic Heritage Month by unveiling a mural by artist Martin Moreno on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Raza Development Fund in Phoenix. The mural will highlight the diversity of the Valley community while integrating the Coyotes and the sport of hockey. As part of the unveiling, the Coyotes will hold a community celebration that will include a street hockey clinic, face painting, music and much more.
