The Arizona Coyotes’ Kachina jersey isn’t a new design — it’s a revival of the franchise’s original 1996-2003 look, reintroduced as the team’s primary uniform set for the 2021-22 season.
The Kachina jersey returned to the ice as more than a nostalgic alternate. In 2021, the Coyotes made the Kachina logo their primary mark again, pairing a white Kachina road sweater with a black Kachina home version. The white jersey debuted at the season opener in Columbus on October 14, 2021, and the black version—which had already returned as an alternate in 2018-19—took over as the main home look. For the first time, the Kachina design also sat at center ice. If you’re looking to grab one for your collection, our roundup of the best Arizona Coyotes merchandise covers where to find authentic and replica options.
The Kachina Design: A Quick History
The Kachina logo originated with the franchise’s 1996 expansion identity and defined the team’s visual brand until a rebrand in 2003 moved away from the design. The 2021-22 season marked the full-circle moment: the Coyotes brought back the Kachina logo as their primary mark, restoring the franchise’s most iconic look to center stage. The return included both the white and black Kachina jerseys as the team’s standard home-and-road set.
White Kachina vs. Black Kachina: What Changed in 2021
The white Kachina jersey became the Coyotes’ primary road sweater for the 2021-22 season, worn for all 41 road games. The black Kachina jersey, which had debuted as an alternate in 2018-19, became the team’s main home uniform for most games at Gila River Arena. A third red howling coyotes head jersey rounded out the set for eight home games. The key distinction: the white Kachina was a new primary road design, while the black Kachina was an existing alternate promoted to primary status.
The Desert Night Third Jersey
In the 2022-23 season, the Coyotes introduced a “Desert Night” third jersey that extended the Kachina aesthetic in a new direction. This burgundy sweater featured a star above the “I” in “Arizona,” a “C” captain patch shaped like a half moon, and an “A” alternate-captain patch made from two cacti. Kachina print ran along the bottom and sleeves, tying the design back to the rebrand. It debuted against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mix-up is treating the white Kachina road jersey as just another alternate—it was the team’s primary road uniform in 2021-22. Similarly, the black Kachina was not new in 2021; it had been an alternate since 2018. And the Kachina logo itself isn’t original to the rebrand—it’s a return to the 1996-2003 look. Finally, don’t lump the Desert Night jersey into the same set; it arrived a year later with its own distinct design elements.
FAQs
Where can I buy an authentic Arizona Coyotes Kachina jersey?
Authentic and replica Kachina jerseys are available through the NHL’s official shop, team retailers, and select sports apparel sites. Because the Coyotes have since become inactive, availability varies, and some sizes may be limited to remaining stock.
Did the white Kachina jersey replace the black one as the primary look?
No. The white Kachina became the primary road jersey, while the black Kachina took over as the primary home uniform. Both were part of the team’s standard uniform set for the 2021-22 season, not replacements for each other.
Is the Kachina jersey the same as the Desert Night jersey?
No. The Kachina jersey refers to the white and black throwback designs introduced as primary uniforms in 2021-22. The Desert Night jersey is a later third jersey from the 2022-23 season, featuring a burgundy colorway and Kachina-inspired print details.
References & Sources
- NHL.com. “Coyotes’ Guide to Style Resurrects White Kachina.” Covers the white Kachina road jersey rebrand and season rollout.
- NHL.com. “Coyotes Bring Back Kachina Jerseys.” Details the black Kachina alternate promotion and uniform set.
- ESPN. “Arizona Coyotes Bring Back Kachina Coyote as Primary Logo.” Confirms the logo’s return as the primary mark and rebrand timeline.