The NHL will reveal new, slimmed-down player jerseys on Monday at a press conference in Dallas. The Star's Kevin McGran will be at the unveiling, so send your questions now to nakedlunch@thestar.ca or click on the comments link below. Then join Kevin and The Star's fashion stylist Derick Chetty after Monday's 1 p.m. press conference, for a discussion on the NHL's new look.
The design of the Leaf jersey is not going to change. That is to say the team jerseys that have stripes will still have stripes. The All Star uniforms do not have stripes but that doesn't mean any of teams will change and go with no stripes. The traditional uniforms will still have the same look but just in the new material. Kevin McGran
They don't look that much different then the old jerseys.They may not flow as much when the players are skating really fast but they are the team colours people recognize. The material is what is different. It looks like a hockey uniform made out of space-age material. The socks aren't woollen any more, they are made out of the same new material that the sweaters are made from. Players may not need to tape their socks any more. Some may still tape the socks because that's what they are used to. That's their superstition. I heard players say if they want a loose fit, they'll get themselves a bigger sweater. The sweaters look a bit like team practise jersey's because they don't have the team stripe. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the colouring underneath the armpits. The Western Conference uniform is dark blue and the armpits are white. The Eastern Conference uniforms are white with red trim in the armpits. I think it looks silly. Kevin McGran Kevin is in Dallas and has just taken a look at the new uniforms that are on display at the media conference where they are being unveiled. Tell us your first reaction? Derick Chetty Fans really do hate Gary Bettman, so they won't like anything tthat he produces. The new jersey's reflect that hockey is being played in hot cities and will help keep the players cooler. Kevin McGran Bettman and the NHL bigwigs care only about MONEY. If they truly cared about the game they'd leave the jerseys (actually, the correct moniker is sweater) but who's sweating over the name -- its the look, the fit, the feel, the history, the emotional attachment that we as fans have with the sweaters. I hope the NHL players refuse to wear them. Brent in Calgary
Oh for god's sake, is nothing sacred?
Posted by: kathy | January 18, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Bettman and the NHL bigwigs care only about MONEY. If they truly cared about the game they'd leave the jerseys (actually, the correct moniker is sweater) but who's sweating over the name -- its the look, the fit, the feel, the history, the emotional attachment that we as fans have with the sweaters. I hope the NHL players refuse to wear them.
Brent in Calgary
Posted by: Brent in Calgary | January 20, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Sports teams change jerseys and looks all the time. That’s what I think makes sports uniform fashion so appealing. Although most sporting leagues have regulations surrounding certain specifications on the uniform, for the most part, each team is given the opportunity for different looks, based on a logo, team name or team colour. Giving that uniform (or team), a unique look is something fans can call their own, whether they like the design or not. Just think the last time you turned on a game and were repulsed by the uniforms a particular team is wearing. Then the broadcast shows a wide-angle panning view of the crowd to reveal the same repulsive jerseys peppered throughout the stadium. Why? Because it’s their team. And the uniform they might have had second thoughts about at the start of the season now seems cool, as they see their favourite athletes perform at high levels while donning the teams colours.
So why should we be so alarmed that the NHL is making changes to the classic hockey sweater? Because they are doing it for the wrong reasons, and to be quite frank, lying about it the whole time.
If Gary B. or the League came out to say “We have made a deal for a league-wide change in uniform that will increase league revenues for the next 5 seasons”. There would be resistance at first of course, but with time people would accept the new look, and even the most fickle of fans could grasp the concept of raising league revenues in this post lockout era.
But that’s not what has been expressed to the fans, or at least not to me. The only thing I have heard is statistics about the space aged fabric which won’t hold moisture or sweat, and confusing comments about aerodynamics (aren’t most NHL games played inside these days?). Being a hockey player, none of these topics were ever of concern for me, and I would figure that is the stance most NHLers take in today’s league. (excluding of course, Sidney Crosby or anyone else employed by Reebok.)
So some subtle advice for Mr. Bettman: Canadian hockey fans aren’t as dumb as you seem to think. We know what is going on here, and we will make our voices heard.
Too bad Gary isn’t taking calls from north of the border.
Posted by: Ryan Pound | January 22, 2007 at 04:37 PM