by Justin Orlewicz (Sports Editor)
Over the past few weeks, I have been talking about players, teams and who’s got potential to win. This week I am going to look at the cosmetic side of the game. No, I’m not going to discuss their make-up; I’m talking about their jerseys.
I myself am an avid hockey jersey collector, and if I see a retro jersey that looks cool, I just have to have it. In both this season and the last, teams have started going with their retro uniforms, some even making their retro jerseys their regular, every game uniform. Then there are teams like the Penguins, Islanders, Flames, Maple Leafs, Devils, Bruins, Blackhawks, Canucks and the Blues that have made their third jerseys a retro one. Then, there are teams like the Oilers, Flyers, Capitals and the Sabers who have sold so many retro jerseys that they have made them their full uniforms.
The Maple Leafs also changed their regular jerseys to make them look a little more retro and similar to the ones that they wore the last time they won cup. I must say, they look very sharp. Then you have the teams like the Red Wings and les Canadiens, whose jerseys haven’t changed in almost a century. Their jerseys are so perfect that it would almost be a crime to change them.
The Canucks have also brought back their first ever jersey worn in light of their 40th year celebration. The jerseys are identical to the originals, except for the Reebok symbols on them. The Jersey is white, with the blue and white rectangular crest and the hockey stick in the middle of it. There is also a “V” sewn onto the sleeves. The Canucks revealed their new retro jerseys last Saturday night at their home opener against the Kings at Rogers Arena, the Canucks played their first ever game exactly 40 years ago to the day against the Kings. The King’s were nice enough to participate in the Canucks 40th anniversary festivities as well and wear their retros from that same era. Unfortunately this season opening game ended the same way that the first Canucks game ended with a loss to L.A.
Henrik Sedin was also named the teams 13th captain in a pregame ceremony, where first ever Canuck Captain Orland Kurtenbach handed him a new retro jersey with a “C” on it and asked for his old one.
Retro just seems to be the new trend in the NHL, and personally I think it’s a great idea. The best jerseys are usually the simplest ones, and most retros are. You just can’t mess with a classic look. It also gives you that nostalgic feeling when you see an old hockey jersey, especially if you can remember when they actually used to wear them on a regular basis. Jerseys are the same as cars; you can’t miss with an original classic.
One last note, the Toronto Maple Leafs have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 1999. I told you so! Watch out for the Leafs this year. It must be the Jerseys, or maybe it’s their stacked blue line. Either way they are going to be a threat this season.
