This past June, German sporstwear brand Adidas officially unveiled the new NHL jersey designs that clubs around the league will sport in 2017-18. Some teams like the New Jersey Devils opted for rather substantial changes, while most teams chose designs that were very similar if not identical to the ones they sported under the NHL's deal with Reebok.
The biggest change wasn't an addition made by Adidas, but rather a subtraction, with the sportswear brand choosing to not release alternate jerseys for the upcoming season. It's unfortunate, as alternate jerseys often make for the most interesting of designs, but they'll surely be back next season. This weekend, a user on Reddit reminded us of the absurdity of alternate jerseys from the 90's, sharing the image of a third design that the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL use to don. It's tacky, it's cartoony and it's oh so awesome at the same time.
The 90's were a strange time in fashion. Baggy cargo pants made it look as if people were wearing literal garbage bags, people who didn't work on a farm were wearing overalls with one strap down, and half-zip Starter brand sports jackets were vibrant and gigantic. These trends were not exclusive to the world of fashion. Oh no. Far be it from sports teams to stay out of a trend.
Much like many other professional sports leagues around the world, the NHL fell right into the 90's jersey redesign craze, with numerous teams introducing alternate jersey designs that looked straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Regrardless of whether or not you like these six alternate jersey designs, you certainly remember them.
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim - 1995-96
This is the one jersey that every single one of you that clicked this story knew you were going to see. Introduced before the 1995-96 NHL season, this alternate featuring a full image of Wild Wing on the front didn't last long. The very next season, the Mighty Ducks canned the jersey. You can now find these gems on eBay at full price.
Phoenix Coyotes - 1998-99
The Coyotes have gone through a number of major rebrands throughout the course of their 20-plus year history. Some good, some not so good. You can file these alternate jersey that was used from 1998 through 2003 under not so good. That pattern on the bottom of the jersey looks like the wallpaper in Andy from Toy Story's room when Woody was still his favourite toy.
Los Angeles Kings - 1995-96
The Kings were another NHL franchise to delve into the world of alternate jersey absurdity in 95' playing in a design that is now not so affectionately known as the 'Burger King' jersey. This should be classified as some sort of crime when you force the greatest hockey player that's ever lived to wear something like this.
Tampa Bay Lightning - 1996-97
No.
New York Rangers - 1996-97
The Statue of Liberty belongs on the New York Rangers' uniform. The city of New York has many notable landmarks, but perhaps none quite as unique as the Statue of Liberty. As an Original Six team, the Rangers haven't played around with their uniform designs all that often, but when they did back in 96' they struck gold with an alternate jersey that was universally loved. We would love to see this jersey make a return in 2018. Make it happen, Adidas!
Pittsburgh Penguins - 1995-97
One of the best ways to ease fans into a new home/away jersey design is to first introduce it as an alternate. The Oilers did it in 2017 and the Penguins did it back in 1995. After wearing this design as an alternate for two seasons, the Penguins would go on to wear it as part of their regular away uniform until 2002. Nothing says 90's quite like that fade.
Let's hope that when the NHL reintroduces alternate jerseys in 2018 that we see a few of these designs make a comeback.
