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.
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