What’s In a Name? Phoenix Coyotes to Change Name in 2014-15

Jan 28, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes defensemen Derek Morris (53), defensemen Keith Yandle (3), forward Rob Klinkhammer (36), forward David Moss (18), and forward Mike Ribeiro (63) stand on the ice for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Coyotes are changing their name to the Arizona Coyotes, starting with the 2014-15 season. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small matter that nobody should be upset about. In fact, the Coyotes play in Glendale, so for anyone upset about losing the Phoenix name, it’s time to get over that.

The official Coyotes site reported this today, with the changes becoming effective at the start of the 2014-15 preseason. The Coyotes will also be wearing special patches on both their road and their home jerseys.

For those around long enough to remember, the team was called the Phoenix Coyotes when they initially came over from Winnipeg in 1996. They had been playing their games in Phoenix, before they had Jobing.com arena built in 2003. Going through a name change isn’t as simple as filling out a piece of paper, so the name stuck.

Coyotes Co-owner, President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc had this to say about the change:

"Becoming the Arizona Coyotes makes sense for us since we play our games in Glendale and the city is such a great partner of ours. We also want to be recognized as not just the hockey team for Glendale or Phoenix, but the team for the entire state of Arizona and the Southwest."

Michael Dunlap is an NBA credentialed writer who is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief for the Sports Illustrated/Fansided NBA site HoopsHabit.com and the Arizona Sports site HeatWaved.com. He also covers high school sports for The Arizona Republic. Follow me on Twitter @DunlapNBA.