The World Cup of Hockey rosters were recently announced and they came with the debut of new jerseys. A lot of the reactions were met with some trepidation about what exactly they are getting after. Do the jerseys really need the three stripes on everything?
Taking a look at the team USA jersey for instance it really isn’t that bad.
Red, white, and beautiful. These USA uniforms by @adidas for #WCH2016, that is. https://t.co/KrBIB1vymz
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2016
It is different while not going to far outside of the box. They are distinctly Adidas and I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. It is going to usher in a great agreement for the league, something they have been looking forward to for quite some time. The next question becomes whether or not these jerseys will have sponsors on them. The big worry for some is that these designs may carry over into their new agreement with the league starting in 2017-18. Will classic looks like the Blackhawks and Leafs be effected? Will Adidas try to impose stripes on the iconic jerseys in the NHL?
Overall, I think they nailed the World Cup jerseys. Sure they may all have three stripes down the side of them but that was to be expected. The same way Nike would put a symbol on whatever they made, who are we to complain? It is to be expected and shouldn’t be as criticized as it has been. I am now eagerly awaiting this tournament, something I never thought I would say.
