Leafs Reviving the '30s This Winter?
Thursday · Aug 2 · 2012 | 10:10 AM PDT
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be resurrecting their 1930s-era jerseys for a second time when they hit the ice for their first Winter Classic next January, according to one report.
The usually-reliable Howard Berger posted details yesterday on his blog, Berger Bytes, citing a "merchandising source" who tipped him off to last season's new third jersey as well.
Berger refers to it as the 1931 jersey, but according to the well-researched Hockey Uniform Database, it actually debuted in 1927 when the Leafs first changed their colors from green to blue. However, in 1930, shoulder stripes were added to the design.
The look, featuring 12 white stripes down each sleeve, was retired in 1934 in favor of just two white stripes at the elbows. But the Winter Classic will, in fact, be the second time fans will get to see these sweaters in action since 1934.
They were worn at least twice during the 1996-97 season. Berger even has dates and newspaper clippings with photos (Nov. 2, 1996 and Feb. 22, 1997). The team wore the throwbacks to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Maple Leaf Gardens.
So what do you think? Should the Maple Leafs go with this look for their first outdoor appearance? Or is there something else they should consider?
By the way, it's August 2, and not only have jerseys yet to be unveiled for Detroit or Toronto, but we still haven't seen an official 2013 Winter Classic logo. I can't imagine we'll have to wait too much longer for any of it to be unveiled.
Reader Comments (24)
I'm guessing the fact that we haven't seen any logo/sweater unveilings yet may be because of the labor uncertainty around the NHL.
So far, I think the Winter Classic jerseys have been fantastic choices. This jersey has way too many stripes. It will look awful on television. If they're the road team, they'll have to wear white. What about the one used in the 60's? Less stripes, still looks oldschool.
I'm ok with this jersey but with two small changes. The two groups of stripes above the waist should be closer together to match the spacing on the sleeves and please use white. Not off white. It would be okay but with all those stripes it would look dirty.
One word....Perfect.
I think this would be a good look for the Maple Leafs at the Winter Classic, and if true, we'll see the home team wearing white for the first time since Buffalo.
this wont be the WC jersey, as the leafs are the road team, so they've got to be wearing white!!
so reverse the colors round and simplify the design (few less stripes) and then it'll be close.
This jersey is awesome! I actually picked one up in 1996 and it is one of my favorites in my collection. I actually saw them play Detroit at MLG wearing these in 96' also. Best Logo they ever had..Very Classy!
If this is true, I can't say that I'm shocked. I figured they would use this sweater, and really, I think it was the best choice. Well done, Maple leafs!
Hate the Loafs, but love that primary mark. I'm a little suspicious because I would have assumed they'd have to wear white, being the away team. Maybe they're gonna invert the colours (white body with the same striping pattern in blue). I'd like to see them use this white one: http://nhluniforms.com/MapleLeafs/MapleLeafs11.html
If they choose this era of sweater. I hope they use the correct gloves and shorts color, not sure what it is, but I image back then it was just brown. That would really make them look sharp
I have a hard time thinking that the REDwings will be in an colour other than red. That being said, could the NHL finally be waking up to what us jersey nuts want? Could this mean perhaps that we will see a game with NO team wearing a white sweater? I would love this, redwings in red, maple leafs in blue... this would be awesome.
HOWEVER, I think we are far more likely to see an inverted version of this sweater in vintage white, whic I think would also look good.
Honestly...this jersey is disgusting at best
I don't think the Leafs should be in the winter classic at all. The winter classic was for american teams and in Canada they had the heritage classic. The Canadian teams should stick with the heritage classic and let the americans have the winter one.
You know what would be totally revolutionary for the Winter Classic? Wearing your regular jerseys.
It has become being different for the sake of being different. Teams are simply trying too hard to find the most outrageous throwback jerseys.
" I would love this, redwings in red, maple leafs in blue... this would be awesome."
" see an inverted version of this sweater in vintage white"
100% agreed with both statements - this is an awesome jersey design and logo.
Just don't see the visiting team wearing the dark jerseys, even if it is a special event.
That said, I think the Leafs would look great in a white away version of this design.
If this is true, it almost guarantees the Wings will wear the ones from the same time period...white with the red stripes and "DETROIT" across the middle.
I think that the Leaf logo will be used, I don't think that they will use the sleeve stripes exactly as shown. The other Winter Classic jerseys use slight alterations and different past jerseys as inspiration. I really like that leaf, can't wait to see the jersey!
Why is everyone so shocked that a road team could wear dark uniforms? That was the standard for over thirty years. It only recently changed to the current standard.
We actually might not see any Winter Classic promotional materials until the CBA is settled.
It might be that neither team wears a white jersey and they play in red and blue uniforms. The LA-Canucks heritage game from a while back did the same thing , for one-off events the League has shown to allow exceptions to their typical uniform policies.
Just anything but those hideous striped 'DETROIT' jerseys, please.
First off I would love to see the home team wearing white. The way it always was. As for the jersey, i know most teams are looking to go back to their roots, however I would love to see them in a jersey that brings back memories for the fans. There aren't too many fans alive nowadays that remember the leafs during the 40's and 50's. I think they would be best to go with the uniforms they wore throughout the 80's. Or maybe bring back the doug gilmour jersey from 93. Something that bring back memories from our childhoods.
@ Justin, I agree. It's time the league goes back to home team wear white. The '08 WC the Sabres were the host team and they wore white uniforms, to bad my Pens were in those powder blue things, shoulda went with the Black/Yellow Gold '91/'92 ROAD Black uniform
I agree with some of the posts from above. First off, I think the NHL will wait with any WC promotions until the CBA is settled. That being said, I would be thrilled to see a non-white, red vs. blue game. Honestly, I don't think it will happen, and I'm almost sure that the "Red"wings will wear their red jersey. Seeing the Leafs in a white jersey, somewhat similar to this would be cool. It would have to have a simplified striping pattern, somewhat like this jersey from 1937-38, http://nhluniforms.com/MapleLeafs/MapleLeafs12.html , but I wouldn't mind them to go more than just the standard two-striped pattern.