to golf tournaments to the annual Face-Off Luncheon to the Celebrity Waiters Gala, where the players trade in their hockey sticks for serving trays to serve food and drinks to guests, the foundation works to raise money to support Arizona nonprofits in meaningful ways. Coming in January will be a new playground for the New World Education Center in Phoenix. The Coyotes are partnering with Carvana and KaBOOM!, spending $100,000 plus the time to build a playground to promote physical fitness and outdoor fun for kids. It will be the third playground build for the Coyotes, having already done one in Glendale and another at Larry C. Kennedy School in Phoenix. The Coyotes Foundation is also building DEK hockey rinks throughout the state. “We’ve already Niklas Hjalmarsson plays street hockey with local kids. Credit: Janelle Etzel Photography

done four and we’re in process of building four more,” Cohen said. “We want to give kids an opportunity to be physically active and get excited about team sports and our sport.” In a world where pro sports are often mired in controversy, the Coyotes players are effective ambassadors for the organization. “They’re genuine, humble people,” Matos said. “It makes my job so much easier because we have people like Oliver and like Antti Raanta, who have good hearts. When we’re trying to teach kids about not only hockey but about the importance of giving back, I have perfect role models to show them, rather than being concerned that I’m not necessarily doing the child justice.” Ekman-Larsson sees philanthropy as another way for the team to develop roots in the desert. “It’s important to give back to the community because they give you so much, and they support you,” he said. “If you treat the people the right way, they are going to treat you the right way.” This is why the Coyotes organization is taking its shot at the hat trick of building a successful team, increasing fandom and making a difference in the state. “Obviously it’s fun being in sports and doing all the things associated with being with a sports team, but for me the best part is knowing that every day when I wake up we have an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives in this community,” Cohen said. “It is the most gratifying part of my job, in all honesty.” To learn more about the Arizona Coyotes Foundation, visit nhl.com/coyotes/community/foundation . COVER STORY CONTINUED CONNECTING WOMEN WHERE THEY WORK, LIVE OR PLAY Join us where you live, work or play to connect with like-minded women to share information, ideas, contacts and opportunities. Learn more at: eastvalleywomen.org | centralphoenixwomen.org | womenofscottsdale.org