Phoenix Coyotes to wear throwback jerseys next season

The new ownership in Phoenix is wasting no time in shaking things up. Days after the Phoenix Coyotes announced a name change to the "Arizona Coyotes," word comes down Sunday the team is planning on changing up their branding as well.

The team will wear a 1996 throwback Aztec jersey next season for at least one game, according to Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona. Fans might better remember the jersey as the Cubist Coyote. Phoenix wore the jerseys upon their arrival to the desert in 1996, giving their branding a distinct Southwestern flavor before changing jerseys to their current version in 2003.

But the Coyotes might not stop at a simple throwback jersey. Morgan wrote on Wednesday that new owner Anthony LeBlanc could be considering a complete overhaul of the Coyotes brand.

Once the Coyotes make the name change they might also consider rebranding. The team changed its logo once already from the old Aztec style Coyote - known locally as the Cubist Coyote - to the current logo when the team moved from America West Arena in Phoenix to Jobing.com Arena in Glendale in 2003.

But the uniforms will remain the same in the short term.

"Changing uniforms is a considerably longer term process that requires significant lead time with our merchandise partners," [Coyotes president and CEO Anthony] LeBlanc said.

If the Coyotes do change uniforms, it would be the second branding change by a new NHL owner in as many years. The Dallas Stars debuted a new logo and uniform set this season at the behest of new owner Tom Gaglardi.

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