There's Something About Retro

They say fashion is cyclical. Trends come and go and come around again. In the NHL, we seem to be re-entering a retro phase. Throwback jerseys have always been popular with fans, but it seems only in the last few years have teams started to take advantage of that. Classic designs that bring history back to life have started making their way back into the mainstream, in the form of alternate jerseys and special events such as the Winter Classic.

So "retro" is the theme of today's post. Let's see what our artists have come up with.

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Jared LeBlanc	I'm a big fan of Jared's Winter Classic concept uniforms, especially what he's done for the Penguins. It's been suggested that the Pens might join the Bruins in borrowing elements from multiple past jerseys for a unique new look that still feels vintage. Jared's also submitted some ideas for the Heritage Classic, details of which will be announced later today. Regarding the design, he writes, "The Canadians jersey is really the only vintage jersey left that they haven't worn already. ... For the Flames, I took a look at the Cowboys jerseys, which looked like a pretty solid design. I considered doing a carbon copy but I thought they might still want the Flames logo on it." Both sets get a big thumbs up from me!
Connor Hanley	Another set of retros based in real life, come by way of Connor. Over the summer, it was announced that the Canucks would don a throwback jersey to celebrate their 40th anniversary. While this won't be the one, the Kings' vintage threads seen here are probably not far from what they'll be wearing on a few occasions this season. The Kings did give their first round draft pick a gold jersey from the 1960s after all. We're still waiting on an official announcement from the team, however.
Connor Hanley	Connor also sent in this set which calls back to the 1920s and the NHL clubs that arrived long before the Penguins and Flyers — that's the Pirates and Quakers. Of course the design is a little dated now with Gagne's name on the back. (He plays for my team now!) I suppose it might be a treat for centenarian hockey fans in Pennsylvania to see those two sweaters hit the ice again. But they shouldn't hold their breaths.
Jack Martineau	Canadian fans always like to see their teams don the retro duds. Jack digs back deep into Maple Leafs history with these St. Pats sweaters. The team actually wore that green jersey for a game or two back in the mid-90s. They should do it again!
Ryan Haslett	And while we're on the subject, here's another throwback for the Leafs from Ryan. Just like the St. Pats jersey, this one also saw life in the afterlife when it was dusted off for at least one game in the early '90s. Now that the Leafs seem to be taking an interest once again in looking like the storied hockey team they are, maybe more of these throwbacks are in the cards.
Matt Marczel	And to finish things off, one of our most prolific artists, Matt Marczel, offers up this throwback to the previous iteration of the Ottawa Senators club. He points out that it could be used if the Sens ever play in a Winter/Heritage Classic. Unfortunately, the first problem is legibility. The second is the Canadiens just wore a very similar stripe-y sweater last year.

By the way, I have lots of new concept art ready and waiting. Someone needs to stay on me about keeping this page updated. I'm very forgetful.

Comments

[Kevin Y]

Good on the Kings' jersey concept.... except Frolov is a New Yawker now.

Vancouver wants to wear that white jersey... in fact, I'm pretty sure that's what it's going to be. So the Kings can't wear gold, can they? While teams like the Predators and Bruins have had gold alternates, worn on the road against teams wearing white (before the color/home switch), is it too similar to the white?

But the Kings SHOULD wear the gold form of the jersey. It sticks out more, and the fans love the color (and that's what they gave their draft pick). It'd be cool to see them wear that for the home opener.

[Peter]

I am floored by Jared's entries.
Totally believable, and we can only dream that Montreal and Calgary will muster anything as creative as those.

Throwback jerseys are great, but I'm also a huge fan of 'faux-vintage' designs (Minnesota).
This is especially the case for Montreal, who have already exhausted their retro revamps; and Calgary who has to devise an alternative to the throwback jersey already in place (and I'll be damned if they wear those awful black stripes again)

[kyojikasshu]

With the Leafs throwbacks, Chris, I believe you're thinking of when they had a throwback night to the St. Pats back around 2002 (that jersey didn't wrap the chest stripes around the back), and the 1996-97 season, when they wore that logo with a blue sweater with stripes all up and down the sleeves (circa-1932 design) for one game to commemorate MLG's 65th anniversary.

That said, those are interesting takes on the Leafs' design history, although the black trim on the white St. Pats jersey makes me think Michigan State.

[dave]

NHL needs more color on its bland uniforms so I am a huge fan of the Kings/Canucks concept. With games in HD now man that bright yellow would look awesome next to the Canucks black, red and yellow.

[rhas2916]

That's a really cool Heritage Classic logo!

[Punzak]

If the Pens do decide to use blue in the Winter Classic, those jerseys look great. Im still hoping that they decide to do black and gold.

[Me]

the last thing we need is ANOTHER Habs retro jersey in the mix. its bad enough they got their second Heritage game (along with Pens getting their second Classic) - i think the Habs should wear a brand new jersey for their outdoor game. THAT would be the best idea.

[FJ]

The Pens sweater is ok. Should be dark blue.

[91Pens92]

Someone explain to me WHY, WHY Retro jerseys must have Tie's????
Pens '77 uniform, similar to what Jared came up with http://www.nhluniforms.com/Penguins/Images/Penguins09.png
Wash '74(inaugural) jersey..LOOK NO TIES http://www.nhluniforms.com/Capitals/Images/Capitals01.png

[Matt Marczel]

I would love to see a Heritage Classic between Ottawa and Vancouver take place in Ottawa some time (hopefully in 2012) with the Senators wearing their barber pole sweaters (as displayed by my artword above but in Reebok Edge format) and the Canucks wearing Vancouver Millionaires vintage garb, it would be like a flachback to the 1915 Stanley Cup Series. I think it would be great for CBC as I'm sure that game would garner more interest and viewership than the upcoming Heritage Classic game between MON and CGY.

[Jacob]

I was looking threw some pics for the LA Kings throwback sweaters the other day, and I saw someone saying that they will go with a purple and gold, much like the one on the top just vise versa. I don't have the link, but if I find it i'll try to post it. Also i'm loving the Penguins sweater. It looks totally awesome!!! I'm really hoping it's there WC sweaters!!!

[Ali]

Damn, those were all great! Chris, how about a tournament featuring the best fonts on jerseys, for lettering/numbers???

[Andre]

Always loved the 80s uniform matchup between my Canucks and the Kings. Colourful, but simple in design and the use of classic block-style numerals add a nice touch. However, as much as I always loved the Canucks' home yellow-gold, the look of the 20s Pittsburgh Pirates jerseys are an example on how to do a yellow uniform with black. Solid black shoulder yokes instead of the gaudy V yokes on a lighter shade of yellow that isn't too bright, but stands out on TV and at the rink.

As for the St. Pats, if Toronto were to get another NHL franchise, a St. Pats' brand would be great. A blue Toronto team(Leafs) and a green team(St. Pats). Kind of like the NY Giants and Jets in the NFL.

[Jeff P]

I was really rooting for Bruins/Quakers last year. Unfortunately that didn't happen, for the same reason you didn't see straight up Calgary tigers throwback for the heritage classic- the event will draw so much attention to the team brands of the teams involved that nobody wants to lose that brand recondition for the sake of a cool and interesting throwback to a 1920's team.

But I would love to see a Pirates/Quakers matchup, though it never would have happened as it was the same franchise- the pirates moved and became the quakers.

[Drew]

You asked us to "stay on you" about posting new concept art, so this is my effort. :)