April 6 - Keith Tkachuk scores his 50th goal for the second consecutive season to become the first player in franchise history to record more than one 50 goal season. The Coyotes are handed a 4-2 defeat in the game. The Coyotes play the first ever NHL playoff game in Phoenix, Arizona. June 9 - Jim Schoenfeld named Head Coach of the Phoenix Coyotes in a press conference at America West Arena. Scottsdale Mayor Sam Campana, Vice Mayor Robert Pettycrew, Grassroots supporters Donna Vizcaino, Al Larraza, and Julie Larraza, as well as several Coyotes corporate partners participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Burke assumes sole ownership of the Coyotes.
1997, December 14 - Coyotes right wing Mike Gartner scores his 700th career NHL goal, becoming only the 5th player in NHL history to reach this milestone. Only Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne, and Phil Esposito share this accomplishment with Gartner. 1998, June 5 - The grand opening of the Cellular One Ice Den is held, as the Coyotes new north Scottsdale practice facility becomes available for public use. The completion and subsequent usage of this facility solidify the Coyotes long term commitment to the Valley of the Sun and the State of Arizona, and facilitate the formation of B.G Ice, Inc., the company created to handle the team's current and future ventures into the ice facility business. As a part of the redevelopment, the Coyotes plan to include a new 19,000 seat arena and practice facility.