Arizona Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson wore this gorgeous alternate set game worn jersey during his rookie season in the NHL with the Yotes.
OEL made the jump from the Allsvenskan, which is Sweden’s second division hockey league, to the NHL just one year after being selected 6th overall in 2009. He was just 19 years old and tallied 1 goal and 10 assists.
The then Phoenix Coyotes wore this alternate set in 12 games from October 21st, 2010 to March 10th, 2011.
It was the only set of alternates worn by the team in 2010-2011.
Oliver’s jersey does not have much visible wear which is fairly consistent with most jerseys worn by OEL. There are a few small board burns in the sleeves and a larger burn near the left sleeve number. He wore this jersey in 10 of the 12 games the team used the sweaters, contributing 3 assists while wearing it.
While the Coyotes franchise has had a great many faults over it’s twenty plus years of existence, one area it has excelled in has been pushing the envelope on jersey designs.
The running coyote or “roadkill” alternates have always garnered a mixed reaction among Coyotes faithful, however.
Some argue the crest looks more like a fox. Others feel like it looks more like roadkill or a chalk outline which is not exactly an inspiring image to wear on your chest into battle. Still, there are those who champion the jersey’s aesthetic and uniqueness.
I fall in the latter camp. The running coyote jerseys aren’t too far behind the kachinas for me. I love them!
I typically try to shy away from loose thread matches, but some of them are compelling.
In this case, the loose thread is in a unique and uncharacteristic place (ie: not on the numbers/nameplate) and is quite noticeable. Combine that with the fact that the Phoenix Coyotes wore just one set of alternates, and for my money it’s pretty definitive.
OEL spent the first 8 seasons of his career playing with Shane Doan, soaking up information and leadership lessons from the greatest Coyote to ever lace them up. On September 13th, 2018, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was named the fourth captain of the Arizona Coyotes — a move that was recommended by Doan.
If the franchise is to rise from the ashes of a mismanaged and painful past, hopefully #23 will be the man leading the charge.