Flames Go Retro for 30th!

This afternoon the Calgary Flames announced their 30th anniversary plans — which includes a special retro jersey to be worn during five regular season games in October, January and February.

First, the thing everybody wants to know about — the jersey!

Al MacInnisThe Flames will wear a vintage red jersey, modeled after what they wore for their inaugural season in Calgary — as seen on Al MacInnis in the picture to the right and Craig Conroy below.

The vintage sweater will be worn for five home games this season — once against each of Calgary's Canadian opponents, including opening night against the Canucks. See the complete schedule below.

• Thurs., October 1 - vs Canucks
• Tues., October 6 - vs Canadiens
• Sat., January 2 - vs Maple Leafs
• Sat., January 30 - vs Oilers
• Thurs., March 11 - vs Senators

The game on January 30 would've been interesting to see if either the Flames or Oilers had a white throwback. Alberta hockey fans would've been transported back to the 1980s for a night.

You can read more about this retro sweater on the Flames' web site.

Jim Peplinski and Craig Conroy unveil 30th anniversary logo and retro jersey

Now the obligatory commentary. I think this throwback jersey is a good thing. It's always nice to see teams celebrate important anniversaries with classic uniforms — so far nobody's done it better than the Canadiens.

Based on comments I've read, it sounds like most of you will be thrilled by the lack of black in this uniform — assuming they lose the black pants for these five games. And unlike what others have suggested, I don't think this uniform is that ugly — it's just very '80s. It was a different time in terms of uniform design. Certainly a lot more colorful than it is today.

Flames' 30th anniversary logoBut wait, there's more. As part of their announcement today, the Flames officially unveiled their 30th anniversary logo. It's basically the same as the supposed "leak" from a couple weeks ago.

They've made a few changes to the lettering to make it appear a little less medieval and they've made some adjustments to the skyline. Barely noticeable unless you really study the two images.

Anyway, the worst part is that, as is typical, this anniversary logo will be painted onto center ice at the Saddledome and used as a patch on the jerseys.

Since I'm assuming the flags will stay on the shoulders, this logo will probably have to go on the front — on the opposite side from where you find the captain's letters, of course.

The Flames have said that more plans for their 30th anniversary celebration will be announced throughout the season. 

Comments

[Andre]

The reason why people like myself love retro uniforms is because the retros represent a time when hockey was just a game before corporate politics came into play and they simply look great on the ice. Calgary's retros are no different than the look of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs - red, white, and gold. Edmonton's royal blue with the orange yokes are simple in design and they stand out. The unforms that came out in the 90s were either too generic with all the black and navy overkill or the colour schemes had at least 4-5 colours. Hello Atlanta Thrashers.
Question to ask you: Do you like the beauty and simplicity of the Original Six? Boston's black and gold? The Rangers blue, red, and white? Well, the retro uniforms of teams like Calgary and Edmonton have that very same simplicity.
Look at the NFL. Miami: aqua and orange, Minnesota: purple and gold, Green Bay: forest green and gold, Detroit: Hawaii blue and silver.
Colour and simplicity is what makes a great uniform. It's far better than having almost every team have black and/or navy in their look. And to this very day, I long for a return of the Minnesota North Stars green, white, and gold and the LA Kings purple and gold.