The Arizona Coyotes have made hockey history by naming the NHL’s first Latino team president and CEO.
Coyotes chairman Alex Meruelo, himself the league’s first Latino owner, named Xavier Gutierrez as the team’s top executive on Monday, replacing Ahron Cohen, who mutually agreed to part ways with the franchise last month.
Gutierrez was managing director of the California-based Clearlake Capital Group but previously worked for the owner as chief investment officer at his Meruelo Group and also has served on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Meruelo called it a “historic day” for hockey. Gutierrez says he wants to ensure the Coyotes are “financially stable and prosperous” with the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to Arizona.
The team is waiting to see when the NHL season will resume. Under a revamped format, Arizona is now eligible for the postseason for the first time in eight years.
