Vancouver Canucks retro jersey stirs mixed reactions

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — From the ‘stick-in-rink’ logo to the ‘flying V,’ to the ‘spaghetti skate’ and ‘birthing whale,’ then the stylized stick-in-rink, Vancouver fans have never been unanimous in their views of the Canucks’ jersey, and the latest redesign is no exception.

Every NHL team will wear a “reverse retro” jersey for multiple games during the 2020-21 season. The jerseys feature a design from the past, remixed in different team colours to create something new.

Vancouver’s jersey features the familiar orca logo on the front with a green gradient and bright blue background, similar to the version worn by the Canucks from 2001 to 2006, when Markus Naslund was captain and part of the West Coast Express line. The colours meet on the sleeves to create a V-shaped design, reminiscent of the flying V jersey from the early ’80s.

“I don’t hate it … but I don’t love it,” Julia England wrote on Twitter of the retro gradient.

I don’t hate it….. but I don’t love it.

— Julia England (@JuliaKrause) November 16, 2020

“Should have went with the ’80s Burger King theme,” wrote another fan, with a picture of the Canucks’ black flying V jersey from the early ’80s.

“C’mon,” wrote Kevin Corey, who also posted a picture of the ‘Nucks’ yellow flying V jersey.

C’mon.#YouHadOneJob pic.twitter.com/tSPCPcvMG8

— Kevin Corey (@TheatreHoBo) November 16, 2020

“After reading the write up on why they chose this jersey, it’s actually pretty sweet they went for this one. In ’01, these jerseys were introduced the year after our first playoff appearance in five years with a new young core. Exact same as this year,” adds Lucas Drever.

READ ALSO: NHL, Adidas reveal ‘Reverse Retro’ alternate jerseys for all 31 teams

“Tweet this all you want, the jersey you chose sucks and is not worth the bucks to spend on it,” adds Dane Lee.

“Brought back the worst jersey, although was that the year after we ditched Messier,” tweeted Sean Pratt.

TERRIBLE. Get rid of the Orca! And we didn’t like the blended colours the first time around.

— V Tait (@After_Five) November 16, 2020

“I don’t hate it, but I feel like in the 50 years this franchise has been around there were better jerseys and colours to work with,” Burkey adds on Twitter.

Big missed opportunity with the Nucks jersey.. a cool color concept with the skate or V logo would’ve been sweet. Another off season L for the Nucks

— Branden Berry (@BrandenBerry10) November 16, 2020

“Don’t care what anybody says, gradients on jerseys is maybe the worst idea in all of sports,” according to the Official Miro Heiskanen Stan Account.

“OK, these look terrible, not gonna lie,” wrote Jimmy Chen.

Ok these look terrible not gonna lie.

— Jimmy Chen (@LaCanucks) November 16, 2020

“Thanks for the Zellers jersey!!!!!!!! Free the goddam skate,” wrote Rambo.

“These are dope, way better than the 3rds from last year, not flying skate good but still sweet,” added Anne.

pic.twitter.com/ZhESoNAOBY

— Rihela (@rihela7) November 16, 2020

According to the Canucks, the team has worn seven logo variations and 21 different uniforms over its 50-year history.

“When the gradient orca made its debut on October 6, 2001, during the second game of the season against the Detroit Red Wings, the Canucks were coming off their first playoff appearance in five years; that season also featured the introduction of Daniel and Henrik Sedin,” says the team.

Your Colors. Your Retros. Remixed. The #Canucks adidas #ReverseRetro jersey available 12/1. https://t.co/w6DByJKshd

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) November 16, 2020

“The 2001-02 campaign marked a shift in Canucks hockey and the start of a new era – and the gradient orca was indicative of that change. As the Sedins laid the foundation of becoming arguably the greatest players ever to don Canucks jerseys, the prolific West Coast Express line was just beginning its tenure as the best line in hockey.”

This remixed Adidas jersey represents the franchise’s current young core of players, including Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Bo Horvat.

“It’s a visual transition, from green to blue, from one era of Canucks hockey to the next, and the start of a young emerging team with an incredibly bright future,” the team says of the retro jersey.