When the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix in 1996, the new club immediately paid tribute to the areas local native American community with their now-iconic Kachina jerseys. they’ve changed their logo and color scheme a couple times, usually around uncertain points in the franchise’s history. Despite the troubles the Coyotes have faced in the past, they have consistently have put out some of the best jerseys in the NHL.
WORST: Number 8- Jobing.com Away (2003-2015)
When the Coyotes switched arenas in 2003, the Coyotes took the opportunity to freshen up their jerseys. They retired the kachina style and went with a more subdued maroon and white color scheme. The away jerseys originally had a maroon strip on the waist, but that was dropped and replaced with a maroon yolk on the shoulders during the Reebok Edge era in 2007, and they ended up with the jerseys pictured above.
Number 7- Jobing.com Home (2003-2015)
The home version of the Jobing.com era jerseys saw a brand new color scheme, but also a new logo. Abandoning the kachina logo in favor of a howling coyote head, they accompanied the logo change with a brand new maroon jerseys. They were the first team in modern NHL history to adopt the brick color, and while it was unique, it was no comparison to the kachina they left behind. When Reebok took over in 2007 the white band on the waist was removed, leaving behind essentially a solid red jersey.
Number 6- Current Away (2015-present)
The modern Adidas era jerseys took the bland Reebok edge jerseys and gave them a major facelift. The sleeves on the away jerseys were completely redesigned, opting to add black to the main jerseys for the first time since the Kachina went away in 2003. The crest was tweaked a bit, as the coyote head was tilted slightly clockwise. The new jersey design came during the same season as the rumors of the team’s relocation, so these new-look jerseys gave the fans something else to think about.
Number 5- Current Home (2015-present)
The home jerseys didn’t get as much of a change as the away jerseys did, but the new sleeve design was added, and the maroon color was a few shades darker than its predecessor. New shoulder paw print emblems were added, and the logo twisted slightly. It gave the boring Coyotes jerseys a much needed breath of fresh air.
Number 4- Desertscape Alternate (1998-2003)
This falls under the category where people either really love or really hate these. Undoubtedly one of the wackiest jerseys in NHL history, these Coyotes alternates were in the rotation from 1999 until 2003. These green jerseys were adorned with the team’s alternate logo, which was just the head of the kachina crest, and a desertscape was added on the waist and both sleeves. They’re an abomination, but in the best possible way.
Number 3- Kachina White (1996-2003)
The black away kachina jerseys ended up becoming the most popular style, but the original home jerseys are right up there with them. Slightly changing up the color scheme in the ancient stitching on the waist, sleeves, and collar from the black jerseys, it gave the home whites a unique feel.
Number 2- Running ‘Yote Alternate (2008-2014)
The Coyotes second alternate jersey in franchise history brought a brand new concept to the table. Instead of just the head of the coyote as the logo, they switched it up and used a full “running ‘yote.” The black jersey with the maroon highlights brought a sleek look to a dull setup. The maroon pants and black socks made the entire uniform come to life.
FIRST: Number 1- Kachina Black (1996-2003) (2018-present)
Probably one of the most colorful jerseys in NHL history, the original Coyotes road jerseys are high on the list of iconic hockey sweaters. These jerseys were worn from 1996 to 2003 before being retired when the moved to Jobing.com arena. The were later brought back in 2015, 2016, and 2017 for one-night-only heritage nights. They would re-enter the Coyotes rotation full-time in 2018 as their Adidas alternates.
photo credit: arizonasports.com
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
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