Fans waiting to see Team Canada’s new hockey jersey designs are reacting with mixed feelings after Hockey Canada revealed the look our athletes will be sporting on the ice at the upcoming Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Leaf. A team. A goal. 🍁
Excited to officially unveil the Team Canada 2022 Olympic Hockey Jersey!
Get yours and be ready when the celebration begins ➡️ https://t.co/4behNn4sXd#Beijing2022 #OurGameIsBack pic.twitter.com/PAUBe7EDNE
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) November 24, 2021
With just two months to go before games and rosters are yet to be revealed, Team Canada 2022 Olympic and Paralympic jerseys were unveiled on Tuesday evening, featuring three designs in red, white and black, all centered around a central textured maple leaf crest. .
Introducing the Official Team Canada 2022 Olympic Jerseys! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/EfoZWhjT3t
—TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 24, 2021
“We know how passionate Canadian hockey fans are, and we know that fans from coast to coast will embrace the new jerseys to cheer on our country’s best hockey players,” said Tom Renney, CEO the management of Hockey Canada.
Well, at least he was right about the fans’ passion for the game, but he may have gone a bit past the jersey-kissing part. Social media reactions to the new shirts have been mixed, with the main complaint being that the tricolor scheme looks a little too cluttered.
Get rid of the black! Canada is white and red. Tons of teams are able to pull off this two-color scheme with no problem (see the Detroit Red Wings or the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds). It’s already an improvement (but it would also be necessary to change the pants and the gloves) pic.twitter.com/aTBLRRVGZA
— Jaymi (@jaymidavids) November 24, 2021
It’s probably too late to simplify the design, with the games fast approaching and jersey sales live, but some think the Canadian maple leaf crest looks a little too much like other companies having Olympic links.
Listen to me… pic.twitter.com/dlFKJfpZno
—Dan (@Hockeyfandan1) November 24, 2021
Hockey Canada’s graphic design team clearly took artistic liberties with the maple leaf, and some say they went a bit too far in trying to stylize a national icon.
Have you ever looked at what a maple leaf actually looks like?
-Cameron (@Cam1426) November 24, 2021
In an extreme example, a commentator hints that the new jerseys will be a factor in keeping them from tuning in to see Canadian teams compete for gold, although he was quickly put in his place.
Uh oh..how can the Olympics go on without Alec watching
— Jason Price💙🇨🇦🇨🇦 (@pricejason1313) November 24, 2021
The new jerseys feature ‘Nike Swift technology’, which is said to increase player mobility and overall performance. Fans will have to shell out $180 to get their hands on one, but judging by the reception, they might not sell out as quickly.
The only good is white. The rest are big swings and duds.
— Jess Balzer (@Balzer_Jess) November 24, 2021
Luckily for those not feeling the new look, Hockey Canada is also selling alternate versions of Team Canada jerseys with more familiar designs, including heritage replicas.
