10 replies to this topic

[pinseeker]

I know it was done years ago but when did NHL teams switch their home white jersey's to become their road jersey's and v/v when their colored uniforms used to be the away jersey is now their home uniform. Back in the 80's and 90's the Islander's and Ranger's white uniforms were for home games.

[Bitz22]

Probably when most teams started getting the "3rd" jersey.  My guess would be early 2000's.

[highergr0und]

They changed in 2003.....  due to requests from fans that the home team wear their dark jersey, which for most teams is a bigger seller.

[ABgolfer2]

Why  did they switch their traditional home dark jersey to home whites in the first place?

[ocu_canadian]

I have no idea why they changed..I guess I am one of those traditionalists who get angry everytime Bettman messes with our game but the change was made following the 2004 lockout

[chickenpotpie]

Hate that change.  I like the Red Wings white jersey way better than the red jersey.  I can see why the other teams around the NHL prefer the more colorful jerseys at home, especially for teams with more stylish logos/themes.  The Wings jersey is just a wall of red, which gets grating to watch after awhile.

[tekin112000]

Early 1996 the NHL's third jersey program took off. The Mighty Ducks wore a jersey with a huge duck crashing through the ice wearing goalie equipment, and the Kings wore a white jersey with a logo on the upper left chest that bore a striking resemblance to Burger King's mascot.

In the mid-2000s, the NHL commissioned its new exclusive uniform supplier, Reebok, they pushed third jersey, home dark road white idea

[mac94]

But why shorts? HUGE shorts!

[xThor]

I believe they originally wore home dark in the early years, Then they switched to home white's sometime in early 70's, late 60's i believe (dont recall exact date). Then switched back around 2004-2005. It was done in large to accommodate the home team wearing the third jersey (which i believe all were dark at the time, except for maybe Dallas?). So teams do not have to take a complete second set of jerseys on road trips. Teams still do bring some spare jerseys for cuts, blood, etc... though.

The NHL i believe mandates what jersey teams will wear on a given night, and what the opposing team will wear. Sending out a list at the beginning of each season.

Some exceptions are made, for instance Detroit would still wear white at home a few times a year, but that is all determined beforehand.

[ej002]

Yep, original six wore dark at home at first.   For a while when white was home, the original six would play each other 'backwards' and wear dark at home.

And I agree on the Wings jersey (even as a Hawks fan), the white jersey is a classic and one of the NHL best.  I like the Tigers white jersey too.  Good stuff.

[mike johnston]

They switched jerseys after the last lockout.