CHL Adds the 3rd Jersey
Tuesday · Aug 24 · 2010 | 9:45 AM PDT
Retailers across Canada are reporting that the CHL junior leagues (WHL, OHL and QMJHL) will all be adding third jerseys for the 2010-11 season. Yes, this comes just one year after all 60 teams got brand new Reebok Edge jerseys in the first place.
Tracking all 60 unveilings will be an impossible task for me alone. If the minor pro leagues aren't my forte, then the Canadian junior leagues really aren't. Heck, it was easy last year. The league posted all 120 jerseys in one convenient location on their website for all to enjoy. I can only hope they'll do it again.
If they don't, I'll be counting on the best fans in the hockey blogosphere to help out. Indeed, that is you. If you see something, say something. I'll do my best to get it on the blog. Meanwhile, there are five teams that have either unveiled a third jersey recently or are about to. I'm going to try and speed through them — in no particular order. (And I'll do my best to credit the tipsters.)
Attack unveil throwback jerseyFollowing up on an earlier report, the OHL's Owen Sound Attack unveiled their Owen Sound Mercury's throwbacks.
The new sweaters were revealed on Aug. 18 and the following is from the official release on the team's website:
Attack captain Garrett Wilson was on hand to introduce the Attack’s new third jersey for the upcoming season.
The Mercury’s jersey will be worn for every Wednesday night home game for the 2010-11 season, along with other specified dates throughout the year, including the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 25 vs. the Guelph Storm.
The Mercury’s operated from 1947-1957, winning the Canadian Sr. Men’s Hockey Championship (The Allan Cup) in 1950-51 and produced many players who either had strong local ties at that time or created those ties while playing here in Owen Sound. Many of the Attack’s year end awards are named after past Mercury players and still presented by their family members.
A cool, retro look. Hard to find any faults. Thanks to Blair W. for the tip.
Pats unveil vintage jerseyOn the same day, the WHL's Regina Pats unveiled their throwback thirds for the 2010-11 season.
Garrett Mitchell and Jordan Weal sported the new threads at the team's press conference. The vintage look is pulled all the way from 1925. Here are some details from the release:
With over 90 years of history, there are many different jerseys the Pats could have picked from. The selected uniform is from the 1924-25 and 1925-26 seasons with the Pats winning the Memorial Cup in this jersey in 1925.
The jersey is cream coloured with the traditional red and royal blue piping. There are specially designed letters that spells “PATS” on the front between the horizontal red piping through the middle of the jersey. The current Pats logo will be on the shoulders. The socks are also cream coloured with red piping and will be worn with blue pants and either the red or blue helmets.
There are more pictures on the Pats' website, including some old photos of the 1925 team — I guess as proof they weren't just making this design up. A bit plain, but it's hard to go wrong with a retro third. Kudos to Kev S. on this one.
Raiders reveal third jerseySticking with the WHL, the Prince Albert Raiders were the third CHL team to unveil a third jersey last Wednesday.
They are celebrating their 40th anniversary this season with a special new sweater, though according to their website, it doesn't appear to be getting much use.
Highlights of this season’s birthday bash include Dec. 11 and Feb. 18 home games against the Everett Silvertips and Moose Jaw Warriors, respectively. On both nights, the Raiders will wear specialty jerseys. The Dec. 11 birthday tilt will be one night prior to the anniversary of the Raiders’ first game, a 9-2 win over the Regina Pat Blues on Dec. 12, 1971.
That's literally all they say about the jersey. There's barely a picture of it. The photo above comes by way of John MacNeil of the Prince Albert Daily Herald. That's Raiders marketing director Bruce Vance showing off the sweater.
And for the record, the Daily Herald says the Raiders will first wear this jersey on Oct. 22 against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Raiders' website says nothing about that. My thanks to Brad D.
Wildcats unveil third jerseyThe QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats will be celebrating 15 years with a brand new third jersey for the 2010-11 season.
A brief posting on the club's website features a photo and explains the jerseys were unveiled Aug. 13. There's really nothing beyond that:
The 2010-11 season marks the 15th anniversary for the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and in honor of this anniversary the Moncton Wildcats unveil their new jersey today.
Actually, I think this one is my favorite of the bunch — if only for the logo on the front. In terms of overall sweater design, I'd probably pick Owen Sound.
Rebels unveiling third soonThe WHL's Red Deer Rebels also have a third jersey on the radar.
The splash graphic on their website promotes the unveiling of an alternate sweater as an upcoming event. However, as you can see, it's not entirely clear whether it will happen when training camp opens next week or some other unspecified time.
The divider between the training camp and third jersey lines is what makes me question this. But we'll keep an eye on it and I'm sure Scott B. will email in again when the sweater is unveiled.
Reader Comments (31)
it sounds like the halifax mooseheads will be unveiling a third jersey soon too. according to rumors it'll be an rbk edge version of the popular black and red script jersey from two years ago.
All of those jerseys are pretty solid designs.
Is that an apostrophe in the Owen Sound jersey? Because it shouldn't be there. Either they are the "Owen Sound Mercury", the "Owen Sound Mercuries" or the "Owen Sound Mercurys" (if they're being quirky about it, like the "Emmys"). Under no circumstances is "Owen Sound Mercury's" acceptable.
Nice! Can't wait to hopefully see the return of the barberpole 67's sweaters.
I'm thrilled how the Pats one turned out. It's nice to see other teams putting that antique white colour to use. It's simple and classy. Wait until you see the Brandon Wheat Kings' new 3rd (I had a hand in designing the logo!). I can't say anything yet, but think yellow...
Any word/idea if the Ottawa 67's are coming out with a third? I'm hoping they return to the red barberpole one that's become a classic for the past 40 years.
you forgot about the chilliwack bruins and sarnia sting.
No dude, I didn't. Got the Bruins a few weeks ago and Sting back in May.
Mannn, i hope The London Knights bring back the green jerseys with Knights across the chest, i LOVED those jerseys
Did the 1920s Pats actually wear cream-colored sweaters? I hope they did, because if they were actually white in the '20s, then this is a case of faux-aging, and I don't like that at all. (Think about it - if you were a player, would you wear an actual 85-year old wool sweater into a game?)
I really like Owen Sound's throwback 3rd. Nice, colorful, classic... just beautiful!
Moncton... I'm with Chris: like the logo, not so crazy about that particualr color combination on the Buffaslug jersey template. (But then again, I was never a fan of that template, let alone the logo it's associated with...)
Prince Albert... what, no green? The regular jersey's already black, and now it looks like they're going Dallas Stars on us. I'd rather see a green sweater.
Neat, here's hoping that all those thirds are included in NHL 11.
That is an apostrophe in the Mercury's name. That is how they had it on the original jerseys. Not sure if there is a reason for it or not.
The Windsor Spitfires also unveiled their jerseys -- it is similar to their old thirds but in the RBK Edge cut.
Nev, I read online this past season that the owner of the 67's wanted to keep the barber pole design, but Reebok said they couldn't incorporate it, which is a bunch of crap anyway. He stated that he would keep working towards bringing the barber pole design back in the very near future since it's in the team's heritage and history. So with that said, I would think the 67's would be leaning that way. I sure hope the Wheat Kings decided to bring back the stalks of wheat as well. I hope the Swift Current Broncos bring the bucking bronco/horse shoe logo on their 3rd. Hope Saskatoon returns to the simple circular hockey stick logo on theirs. Most of all, this will give the Kootenay Ice a chance to finally design a nice uniform because theirs have always been terrible.
I wonder/hope if all these 3rd jerseys will be in NHL 11...
Some really great jerseys here, I might actually have to start paying attention to the Canadian Hockey League.
To Josh: although it isn't typographically sound, the apostrophe in Mercury's is historically accurate. Look at the original article about Owen Sound and the jerseys there.
Oh man that Raiders jersey is just gorgeous. If I wasn't a Wheaties fan through and through I'd even consider buying it.
I assume those Pats thirds are to be worn at the Heritage Classic in February? If so, I'm looking forward to it. I wonder if the Hitmen can pull from similarly far back in the city's junior-hockey history (I notice that the Pats jersey is of similar vintage to the Flames' Tigers-inspired retro for the same event), or if they'll even go as far back as the Buffaloes, the city's first WCHL team.
For the Calgary Hitmen, I'm betting it's just going to be a continuation of that black and pink one from last year. It was real popular with the season tickets holders, as is the red teddy bear toss jersey they wear once a year. The Hitmen/Flames team store regularly sold out of large and XL.
I hope my hometown Blades unveil a lght-blue version of their current home jerseys. Granted, it's nt very original, but it would be sharp sweater.
Sick of all the dallas type jerseys...like sting 3rd
If that is the case that all 60 teams are getting a third, then i hope that the frontenacs do NOT go retro go with a Kingston Canadians Jersey. hopefully they bring back the pre-EDGE logo to the front of the jersey.
as for the rest of the league i hope that many teams get unique no cookie cutter thirds. i mean don't just take an NHL jersey and slap a logo on it
Yeah, I noticed them in my neck of the 'Dome, where a bunch of the families and tenured folk sit (108) but...eh, I didn't care for it, personally. Besides, there's a real opportunity here to follow in the Flames' and Pats' footsteps and really pull out something cool. The pink one can come back next year.
That being said, I never got a chance to buy the red TBT jersey before they stopped selling it, so if that ever comes available again, I'm there yesterday.
Doogie, those TBT jerseys will in all likelihood be back again this year (too nice to get rid of), so they should have some more on sale right around the time of the game in December. I'd hook you up with a spare one, but I gave it to my mom during the playoffs last season. First purchase of the new season will be to try and get a game worn jersey from last season.
@puckheadshockeyworld (dave) : Sorry, no wheat sheaves for Brandon. I miss 'em, too, believe me. Everett got to keep their trees, but Brandon abandoned the sheaves, which was a crying shame. However, much like Regina, Brandon's jersey will dip into the past for the logo... and the jersey as well.
What I'd like to see the Calgary Hitmen do for the outdoor game is honour the first Alberta based Memorial Cup Champions, the Calgary Canadians. I'm going to whip up something quick to show you guys what I mean.
Nick: I hope so. All they had last year were surplus mediums. My cousin got one, but I didn't, because I'm an XL. =(
Dallas: A quick Google image search gave me a whole lot of Team Canada and Montreal Canadiens. I'd like to see that mock-up just so I know what the Calgary Canadians looked like.
I'm curious...Where will the captain's C and assistant's A go on these junior jerseys? The fronts of these are so busy.
DanC: I wouldn't be surprised if they wound up on the bloody waist. That's where the Ed Chynoweth Cup patches went for both Calgary and Tri-City during the WHL Final, thanks to their large, triangular logos.
Here's the image of the new Windsor Spitfire's third
jersey
Looks like the same retro third they had pre-Edge. Good stuff.
As long as those HIDEOUS Colors that the NHL Vancouver Canucks had in the 80's God they were Horrible.
Im pretty sure the montreal juniors are rocking a black sweater this year