COVER STORY CONTINUED 24 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | DECEMBER 2018

this past September. “The organization has been through a lot,” he said. “The first couple of years I felt like hockey wasn’t big but they’ve been doing a really good job of promoting the team and being involved in the community. I think that’s why the sport is growing.” Community involvement is critical to Cohen’s vision for the organization. “This past year Phoenix had the fastest growth rate for hockey participation out of any city in the entire country. We are pretty proud of that,” he said. Building on that growth, Cohen established three core pillars for the Coyotes organization over the summer. “Building a competitive team, building fandom throughout the state and making a positive impact on our community. They’re all equally important,” he said. Cohen also required that every Coyotes staff member donates at least 15 hours a year to the community. Helping to make good on these goals, the Arizona Coyotes Foundation exists to demonstrate tangibly that the team cares about its community. Over the past 19 years, the Coyotes have raised millions of dollars that have helped hundreds of charities promote healthcare, education and culture for local children and servicemen and -women. “My goal is for us to be as much help to the community as we can be,” said Matos, the foundation’s executive director. Building a team that wants to make a difference and do more than win on the ice and provide an entertaining sport is key to that. “Our team is here to be a part of the community and to give back whatever we can, to be a good role model to all of the community members and provide support,” Matos said. Ekman-Larsson sets the tone for the team’s community involvement. An active champion for the Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale, he loves spending time with kids and getting them out to hockey games. “He’s a really special person and a special leader,” Cohen said. “I’ve been around pro sports long enough to know not Coyotes players Jakob Chychrun, Christian Fischer and Antti Raanta spread holiday cheer at Phoenix Childrenʼs Hospital. Credit: Norm Hall Photography