As part of ASU's rise to NCAA Division-1 hockey, the Arizona Wildcats will actually benefit from it as well. The in-state rivals will faceoff in Gila River Arena, home of the Arizona Coyotes, on Saturday, October 3rd.
The Coyotes and Gila River Arena will host a total of six college hockey games in the 2015-16 season, which include the first NCAA games to be played in Arizona since 1985.
This is a short-term benefit for the Arizona hockey program, as ASU's gradual transition to a full-fledged NCAA D-1 member will likely leave the Wildcats in the dust not only in the state, but in the rest of the ACHA.