Jets Finally Unveil New Sweaters

They finally did it. The Winnipeg Jets have finally unveiled their jerseys sweaters for their NHL return, and predictably, the fan response is luke warm. The first complaint I see a lot is that they're too plain. They look too much like a million other sweaters around the league (CBJ, FLA, PIT, NSH, STL). Basically, if a team already wears a dark blue uniform with a round logo, people seem, to feel the Jets are ripping them off.

Why did RBK have to ruin you?!

I think there are a couple reasons for the chilly reception. One, the complainers are correct about the sweater being plain. It is very plain. Especially the "polar night blue" sweater. It looks exactly like a hockey sweater is supposed to look. The logo on the front, some stripes on the arm and waist, and that is it. Hockey sweaters are not supposed to be ground breaking aesthetically. And the ones that do manage to introduce something new that people actually like are few and far between. The pre RBK Edge-ified Stars and Avalanche uniforms spring to mind as 'modern' designs that were universally beloved. But most "modern" redesigns end up being replaced within a decade like Buffalo, Edmonton, and Boston. The Jets kept it simple, and that was the right decision.

Second reason I think people are hating on this uniform, the team is becoming real. They're no longer the fictitious Winnipeg Jets that everybody can have a soft sport for. This is the jersey that a player will be wearing when he scores a game winning goal against your team. Not that there is anything wrong with getting some recreational hating in before the real games start.

 Could probably use more abstract lines

As for my commentary on the sweaters. Since my initial reaction this morning of a big hearty "meh", I have actually really grown to like this design. Other than the plainness of it, people's only real complaint seems to be the striping on the road whites. I do see what people mean, the two horizontal shoulder stripes do clash with the vertical, full length shoulder yoke. This was one of the first things I noticed, and I initially didn't like it, but the look has grown on me, and I would have to say I really like the decision. I think the arm stripes really stand out on the sweaters and I love the "aviator blue" accents. Also, I have a theory for the two prominent arm stripes. I haven't seen it mentioned in any news piece, but I wonder if the idea behind the two stripes is supposed to be symbolic of the fact that this is the second version of the Jets. Two stripes for Jets 2.0.

The only part of the uniform I dont like is the number and lettering. I am really not a fan of that "modern" style. I really don't take much issue with it though as these jerseys are almost guaranteed to undergo a few tweaks in the next couple years anyways. Sweaters these days never seem to go more than a couple years with out some kind of tinkering.

And even if you absolutely hate these, Chipman has strongly suggested (if not flat out said explicitly), the Jets will be bringing back the old uniform as an alternate as early as next season. Its really starting to feel like the Jets are back.




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