Arizona Coyotes Uniform History – Review

Nov 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime to beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes uniform history is a varied and ground-breaking one. They broke the rules with their initial set and continue to evolve today

In honor of the Throwback Night on November 27th, I offer my review and critique of the Coyotes uniforms these past twenty years.  I will also crown my choice for best uniform and how it makes the Arizona Coyotes the best dressed team in the NHL.

Next: The Originals

Mar 5, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) lines up for a faceoff against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

THE ORIGINALS (1996-1998) 

When the Winnipeg Jets left Manitoba and flew to the American Southwest the team’s’ braintrust knew they had to craft a new identity.  Arizona was not known as a hockey-hotbed.  The locals in their new home needed an identity, or idea, to stick their teeth into.

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A Name-The-Team contest was held to get a new moniker in place.  Out of all the submissions the name Coyotes was chosen.  Ironically, the old WHA Phoenix entry was named the Roadrunners and now they were followed by the Coyotes.

The new name, and the geographic location, helped give context to uniform and logo creation.  A stylized hockey playing coyote was adopted.  It was given the nickname of Kachina Coyote.  David Haney, Creative Director for the NHL at that time, felt that it was an exciting design but very different.

“It was hockey as interpreted with a Southwest feeling and the result was most intriguing. All of those different elements within that interpretation of the coyote on the skates with the stick were just fascinating to look at. It was a very complex logo, which was a good thing because it was giving you the opportunity to see something new every time you looked at it. Perhaps that’s why fans who fondly recall the logo gravitated to it. It was very engaging.”

The new uniforms were unlike anything ever seen in the NHL.  They were loud, brash, and uncompromising.  The traditionalists did not care for the new identity at all.   The look certainly screamed Arizona and Southwest as opposed to Original 6 Toronto or New York or even Winnipeg.  The new look set the Coyotes apart.  This created a theme that has carried through to today’s 2015 incarnation.

Next: The Kachina

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The Green Alternate (1998-2003)

In 1998, the Coyotes introduced a green alternate sweater and uniform that has been called many things by many people.  Some, on various message boards, have called the alternate green jersey the “ugliest jersey” ever created. Others appreciate the unique design and concepts.  The look is one that expands upon the desert/southwest theme of the base uniform designs.  In 2000 a white outline was added to the crest on the uniform which makes the crest logo “pop” more.  Personally, I liked the design and have one in my collection with lettering for Jeremy Roenick.  It is still one of my favorite sweaters.

Here is a view of that uniform under what is considered one of the most controversial moments in Coyotes hockey history.  The moment Derian Hatcher broke Jeremy Roenick’s jaw and sealed the fate of the Coyotes that playoff season.

Next: Brick Red Is Introduced And The Kachina Departs

Sep 22, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) celebrates with center Max Domi (16) and center Henrik Samuelsson (15) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Brick Red and Bye Bye Kachina (2003-2014)

Once the original ownership group sold the Coyotes to Steve Ellman, Wayne Gretzky, and Jerry Moyes in 2001, speculation became rampant about a uniform change.

Gretzky, a traditionalist, loathed the Kachina Coyotes uniforms.  The sweeping changes came in 2003 at an unveiling show at Arizona Mills mall.  The entire identity package evolved to include updated logos and a streamlined color palette of brick red, black, and sand.  Gretzky wanted to have the uniforms be simple and clean.  They were certainly that, but also reminiscent of the famed Soviet Red Army hockey jerseys from teams that dominated the sport for decades.

The fans of the Coyotes, for the most part, were disappointed with the changes.  The southwestern/desert motif, so much part of civic pride, was gone and replaced by something more at home in Siberia.

Unfortunately, this change in uniforms also marked the beginning of the darkest days of the franchise:  relocation rumors, finances & bankruptcy, Jim Balsillie and Hamilton. Piss-poor performance on the ice.  These traditional uniforms, and their own evolution in 2007 with the NHL-wide change to the Reebok Edge system, represent an era that most Coyotes fans would LOVE to forget.

However, one moment people love to remember from that era was when Captain Coyote was named to his post.

Next: The Running Coyote/Road-kill Coyote

Oct 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone (26) celebrates with right wing Shane Doan (19) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes and A Pack Apart (2015-present)

New owners, IceArizona Holdings,  finally completed the transaction to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes in July 0f 2013.  As part of their purchase agreement the name of the team would change to the Arizona Coyotes.  Eager to distance themselves from the tribulations of the past and to start fresh, the team changed the uniforms again.  The official press release stated:

“The body of the Coyotes home and away jerseys remains unchanged but the new jerseys feature an original sleeve stripe designed to connect with Arizona’s distinctive striated landscape. These bold sleeves, along with a striking black pant, will be worn both at home in Glendale and on the road. The new red jersey shoulder patch features a coyote’s paw “A” mark, an icon built for Arizona’s hockey fans; while the white jersey shoulder will carry an updated “AZ” mark, connecting back to the new word mark. Finally, a uniquely Southwestern pattern in the jersey’s neckline aconnects the Coyotes to the legacy of Arizona. This updated uniform features Reebok’s latest technological innovations and represents an industry leading commitment to the best for the athlete.”

Young and future foundational bricks of the franchise Max Domi, Connor Murphy, Brendan Perlini and Christian Dvorak modeled the new look.  It was a deliberate nod to the future and to a statement to leave the past behind.  The #WeAreCoyotes tag-line is part of the marketing effort to  re-ignite the connection with the emotionally abused fan base.

The early returns have been positive, especially when coupled with vastly improved play on the ice.

Next: My Choice For The Best Coyotes' Jersey

Sep 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Dylan Strome (20) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

My favorite jersey is the new white road jersey.

It’s extremely classy and well done.

The design is clean, modern, and the colors pop. It has been working well for the team so far. I am glad to see that it is erasing all of the bad karma from the old uniforms.

Next: Top 5 Ugly Goals From The Coyotes' 2014-15 Season