The Canucks were one of the only teams to wear the same third jersey throughout Reebok’s tenure with the NHL. From 2008 (when thirds were reintroduced) to 2017 (when Adidas took the reins), the modernized stick-in-rink jersey was a fixture. Given its popularity, it only makes sense to bring it back in some fashion.
For 2019, we get a new underlying design, more closely based on the 1970 jersey that inspired it. In fact, the Canucks are calling it their “Heritage” jersey. In those early years, the blue logo was only worn on the white jersey while a white version was used on the blue sweater. But from 2008 to 2017, it was blue on blue. That gets rectified now.
This version also gets the thick green double-stripes from that inaugural jersey, but without the white accent line between them. I’m not sure why they ignored that. I’m a little worried about the lack of contrast between the green and blue on the ice. But that’s just being nit-picky.
The updated throwback logo is a gem! If you look closely, you’ll notice that the angle of the stick has been altered and the green outline made thicker, both of which emphasize the “C” shape. Plus, the white-on-blue just stands out so much better.
Another interesting element of this sweater is the upgraded number system. It employs the same Agency-style font as the primaries, but there’s now a perforated pattern in it that’s meant to represent the West Coast rain. The sleeve number have also been widened to be easier to read.
There’s also a “hanger effect†treatment in the collar that reads, “We Are All Canucksâ€â€”a slogan used frequently by the organization. The only big drawback for me is the thick white collar. You’ve got green stripes all over the rest of the sweater but no green in the collar? Feels like a mismatch.
