People of Our Pack, Chapter 5: A Family Affair

For the Del Principe's, it's a family affair, and that's what makes it so special.
If there's an Arizona Coyotes home game, Jennifer and Kenney Del Principe, along with their ten year-old son, Bradley, and eight year-old daughter, Jillian, will be there. The four have, and continue to make the team a special part of their every day lives.
Now in their fifth season as full season ticket members, their passion for the team and the sport spreads farther than the typical night at Gila River Arena, it extends to their direct impact on hockey's local growth and their consistent presence at community events.
"I think that's what we've always enjoyed about being at games as season ticket members, is that the atmosphere is family friendly," said Jennifer. "We bring the kids, they're both into youth hockey here in the Valley, so we're able to use this as a teaching tool, but also as a spark to keep them engaged in their own development by bringing them here to see the team."
Along with enjoying watching both Bradley, a squirt, and Jillian, a mite, play in house leagues at the Ice Den Scottsdale, Jennifer and Kenney savor the camaraderie the family has been able to genuinely develop with the players.
Cultivating relationships that truly make you feel a part of the team, which rings true to the organization's "Our Pack" mantra, is notably unique to the Coyotes' fan base.
"The thing we love most is the closeness and accessibility that the Coyotes allow us as fans to have," Jennifer said. "You can shake hands with the players, you can say hi to them, you can take pictures with them, and get to know the players more on a personal level than I think a lot of the hockey markets can."
Bradley, whose favorite player is forward Christian Fischer, gets a kick out of the players showing their love for the game, something that only strengthens his own.
"For me, my favorite thing is watching the players have a good time on the ice, watching them get excited when they get goals," he said. "That's the best."
Jillian's favorite player is Vinnie Hinostroza, and she loves the elation seen and felt when Coyotes players achieve large-scale accomplishments.
"What I like most thing about hockey is watching their cellies right after they score game-winning goals or hat-tricks," she said.
Luckily for Jillian, there have been plenty of game-winning goals scored lately, and even a hat-trick!
As a father of two, Kenney has thoroughly enjoyed passing down his love for Coyotes hockey, one he saw his children embrace while they watched games together on television in the years after they were born.
"I just love coming here to the games, I've always been a hockey fan since I was a kid, Jeremy Roenick was my favorite growing up, and of course Shane Doan, I followed his entire career," he said.
"And being season ticket members, we get so many different things in the packages that we can all enjoy together as a family," he added. Those experiences that Kenney refers to have created long-lasting memories.
Though team success on the ice is an added benefit for the Del Principe family - a benefit they've obtained much of this season -- they know deep down that a game's result isn't going to alter the special moments they enjoy together.
"For us, the family aspect of it, where all four of us can come together on a nightly basis and do something fun, win or lose - and we have a fun time regardless," Jennifer said with a grin. "We're here and we're doing what our family loves, and that's supporting the Coyotes."
"And we love supporting them no matter what."