Though the Arizona Coyotes are entering just their 20th season as a franchise, the team has taken the ice in a variety of jerseys and styles in those two decades.
The Arizona Coyotes are one of the youngest teams in the NHL. Not just on the ice, but also in terms of longevity.
While there is some contention over the possession of the Winnipeg Jets’ history with the current Winnipeg Jets franchise, I prefer to look at the inaugural 1996 season in Phoenix as a line of demarcation.
The Coyotes’ history really begins there.
In the following two decades, the team has seen many ups and downs. There has been drama, bankruptcy, rumors of relocation, and a small but loyal fan base that was unwilling to pull the plug.
Through the trials and tribulations on the ice and in the business realm, the franchise has been quite bold in it’s approach to uniform design and aesthetics. Some of those risks were hits, while others were curiosities at best.
The sweaters worn by the Phoenix and Arizona Coyotes are an important part of their history, however they were received.
Let’s march through the sweaters/jerseys worn throughout the Yotes’ two decades in the desert in an effort to find the best…and the worst.
Next: Number 5: The Green Alternate or 'Peyote Coyote'
The Coyotes went all-in on hunter green to create a jersey with a desert landscape and a highly unique logo that has been referred to as the “Peyote Coyote” jersey.
Featuring a significant break in style from their already unique Kachina jerseys, the green alternates were a mish-mash of brilliant colors and bold design that resembled jerseys you might see worn on specialty nights in the SPHL instead of the NHL.
The design around the bottom of the sweaters’ body and sleeves showcased the mountains and cactus seen throughout Arizona, topped by the Coyotes’ familiar moon imagery.
The centerpiece was a new take on the Coyote logo.
Two-toned and a little bit zany, as any Yote should be, the “Peyote Coyote” might be my favorite crest used by the franchise.
If there was a jersey that combined the “Peyote Coyote” logo with the Kachina colors or the new-look Arizona Coyotes sweaters, I’d be all over it.
Since this is all we have, I’d have to rate the green alternates as the worst in the team’s jersey history.
Next: Number 4: Monotone Coyotes or Brick Red and White
Nov 11, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) against the Dallas Stars at Gila River Arena. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
Monotone Coyotes or Brick Red and White
When the Arizona Coyotes (then Phoenix) moved away from the Kachina look, they settled on brick red, white, and sand, and black.
Mostly they utilized a whole lot of red and white, however, and became what I call the “monotone Coyotes”.
These jerseys were beautiful, but combined with the brick red pants — particularly after the white striping was removed from the jersey — the team looked like it was playing in a onesie.
For a Coyotes franchise that had intentionally stood out with previous uniform designs, this combination was the definition of “plain Jane”.
As a sweater to wear to a home game at Gila River Arena, you could argue that the brick red home or white away jerseys should be ranked higher.
With the entire on-ice look considered, however, they are too plain to compare to the Arizona Coyotes’ other options.
Next: Number 3: The Black Alternate or 'Running Coyote'
Feb. 18, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) celebrates with right wing Shane Doan (19) after beating the Calgary Flames 4-0 at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
The Black Alternate or ‘Running Coyote’
Another polarizing jersey in the Arizona Coyotes’ historical repertoire is their black alternate or “running Coyote” sweaters.
These were worn from 2008 to 2014 and were part of the Coyotes 2011-12 season, which happens to be the best in franchise history.
The adoption of these third jerseys marked the franchise’s return to black as a primary color after a five year absence when the Kachina black jersey was retired.
While the aesthetic of the sweater itself is flattering, the logo has been the object of derision from fans. Some even began calling it the “roadkill Coyote”.
The black alternates are almost the polar opposite of their green predecessors.
While the green jerseys themselves were garish, the crest was top notch. On the contrary, the black jerseys were aesthetically pleasing but the crest wasn’t quite on the level.
In a perfect world, we’d see a future third jersey that drew from the design of the “running Coyote” alternate but utilized the crest of the old green desertscapes.
In the meantime, this sweater will have to settle for third on the list.
Next: Number 2: Welcome To The New Age, New Look Arizona Coyotes
Oct 2, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi (16) looks on during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
Welcome To The New Age, New Look Arizona Coyotes
Many, many lines have been written about the Arizona Coyotes’ impending youth movement.
In the meantime, there’s growing to be done and to get that started the Coyotes introduced a new look prior to the 2015-16 season.
Shedding the team’s monotone aesthetic and opting for a slightly different shade of red, the new look Coyotes uniforms added black to the formula and what a difference it made.
While initials reviews were somewhat lukewarm, once fans around the league saw the new look on the ice last fall they quickly changed their tune.
The road whites, in particular, are one of the sharpest uniforms in the entire National Hockey League.
The black shell and black armbands on the Coyotes’ sleeves give the team’s look a depth which it had been missing in it’s everyday kits for some time.
Though the new look is currently rated number two overall, it’s fair to say that if the franchise’s investment in youth pays off in the form of playoff relevance, it will quickly become the team’s most important and iconic sweater.
Whether you want to go with the black or the white version, the Kachina was quirky enough to catch the eye but handsome enough to be pleasing on the ice.
Worn from 1996 to 2003, these sweaters were part of the then-Phoenix Coyotes longest run of sustained success including reaching the playoffs five of their first six seasons.
While the jerseys are now beloved here in the desert, they weren’t always so popular and are still hit and miss outside the team’s fan base. Former Coyotes forward Jeremy Roenick was quoted as saying, “They were so ugly they were pretty.”
These jerseys are the type that you grow into loving.
Several years ago, former goalie Sean Burke told Craig Morgan, “I liked them. I never thought of them as being really strange or quirky. The collar on them was always something that made them stand out. But I guess I liked them mostly because we had good teams then and I associated the two.”
The fact that the Arizona Coyotes brought them back has been arguably one of the team’s greatest decisions in recent years. I’m an unabashed fan.
Found this slightly used Jordan Martinook jersey over the weekend. Seems like a keeper, to be honest. #Coyotespic.twitter.com/Sdp1hooqkY
Acquiring this game worn Jordan Martinook jersey from last season was a highlight and it’s the pride of my collection. Not only because I’m in the tank for Martyman, but because these things are beauts.
This design rubbed traditional hockey fans the wrong way in 1996 and the Arizona Coyotes organization still rubs opposing fans the wrong way in 2016.
Some things never change.
Next: The Future For The Arizona Coyotes On The Ice And Aesthetically
Ideally we’d see the Kachina jerseys become a permanent third jersey instead of a special two-night affair during the regular season. Perhaps they’ve already considered this option.
In the mean time, I’ve had my say on the franchise’s aesthetics through the past twenty years. Feel free to give your two cents below.
