Matt Shott's contributions for Arizona hockey enshrined in Arizona Sports Hall of Fame
Matt Shott wasn't big on attention for his work in youth hockey, but during the moments when he was recognized, he quietly enjoyed the limelight.
In November of 2021, Shott, who was the Coyotes' Senior Director of Amateur Hockey Development for a decade, was honored for Hockey Fights Cancer night while battling liver cancer. In front of a sea of fans wearing shirts with his name on the back, he couldn't contain all of his excitement when he got to drop the puck before the game.
“Matt always felt like he was the one busting the tail behind the scenes, but he never was recognized with fanfare," Arizona Kachinas co-founder Lyndsey Fry said. "He didn’t necessarily want to be, but for Hockey Fights Cancer night, he set up thousands of those for other people to go out on the red carpet and do the puck drop.
"For him to experience that, he turned into a little 8-year-old kid and was so excited. This would be a really similar thing. He would be so honored and for that reason, we’re all so honored to be here remembering him and recognizing and continuing all the great work he did.”
Shott passed away one month after that event at 34 years old, but his name now lives on in the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.
The Arizona native was selected by public vote after spearheading initiatives to make hockey more accessible across the state, including helping to start the Arizona Kachinas, the premier girls hockey program in Arizona.
“I truly felt like it was a matter of time and unfortunately with the Coyotes leaving," Fry said. "I think it galvanized people to get behind it and acknowledge he did and everything we’re trying to continue to do to commemorate his legacy.”
He joined Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, former Olympic and Arizona State swimmer Melissa Belote Ripley, former University of Arizona and NBA basketball player Mike Bibby, former U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player and Mesa native Julie Ertz, former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., former University of Arizona football standout Ricky Hunley, former Major League Baseball player and Scottsdale Chaparral alum Paul Konerko in the eight-member class of inductees on April 10.
Matt’s younger brother, Trevor, accepted the honor on his behalf. Other people special to Matt were there, including Fry and family friends Julia and James Fischer.
“That’s what makes it so special is that it was the public (that voted for him)," Trevor said. "That’s what Matt was all about. It wasn’t about him or his individual accomplishments, it was about helping everyone in the community.
"I knew immediately that he deserved it and everything he was able to do was incredible and the amount of lives he touched and helped make better spreading the game was awesome.”
It's undeniable the impact Shott has had in the Arizona hockey community. Julia took a picture with a man wearing a hoodie with Shott’s name on it during a recent trip to the Phoenix Zoo.
Even though Trevor doesn't live in Arizona anymore, he'll always hear about his brother's impact when he returns. From every rink in the state housing a banner for Shott to seeing shirts with their name on it, his brother's name is embedded in the Arizona hockey community.
“It’s cool coming back to visit because you see somebody wearing a Matt Shott shirt that they handed out for the Hockey Fights Cancer night that he was at," Trevor said.
"I don’t know if all the hockey people eat at the same few restaurants we’re at, but it seems like every time we’re here, we see someone wearing one.”
When the Coyotes left for Salt Lake City, there was uncertainty surrounding the work Shott did. When the NHL was in Arizona, the league contributed about $500,000 annually to youth hockey through the Industry Growth Fund (IGF).
But Fry made sure to not let her longtime friend's work go to waste and established the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation on April 25, 2024.
Nearly every part of the initiatives put on by the Coyotes exists, but the names have changed. The Learn-to-Play program for children was changed to "Shott's Tots."
“It’s actually a coincidence because a year ago today that it was announced that the NHL was in talks and deep into moving them," Trevor said. "Exactly one year later is a funny coincidence. It means so much that Lyndsey and Zack Savage and some of the other hockey development team that Matt worked with were able to keep his legacy alive and start the foundation and keep as many of the programs that Matt helped contribute to keep running.
"It’s not about Matt; he wouldn’t want it that way. It’s about all the kids and giving them the opportunity he had growing up and trying to get as many people into the game as possible.”