Canes Unveil Alternate Jersey
With AC/DC’s “Back in Black” blaring, the Hurricanes revealed their third jersey this afternoon in a press conference that was open to the public. The jersey’s new look was shrouded in secrecy, but in the end the team decided on a black jersey featuring the secondary flag logo as the crest. The numbering is red with a white outline, with the name plate letters in white. The hurricane flags that run across the bottom of the team’s home and away jerseys are still there, but instead in just black with with a gray/silver outline and square in the center. There are red and gray/silver arrow-shaped stripes on the arms and socks, and the reversed black “eye” logo — that’s been teased on the team’s site for a few days — is on the shoulder. The rest of the uniform includes black gloves, pants and helmet. Here’s a browser-friendly PDF showing a mock-up of the jersey. Modeling the new jersey were center Eric Staal, defenseman Tim Gleason and goaltender Cam Ward.
According to a team release, the Canes will wear the new uniforms 15 times at the RBC Center in 2008-09, the first being an Oct. 13 showdown against the defending Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings. They will go on sale to the public Sept. 21 at the Caniac Carnival. A fact sheet on the Canes site lists the remaining 14 dates Carolina will wear the black sweaters as:
Nov. 2 vs. Toronto
Nov. 16 vs. Tampa Bay
Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia
Dec. 7 vs. Washington
Dec. 27 vs. Boston
Jan. 2 vs. St. Louis
Jan. 15 vs. Toronto
Feb. 14 vs. Columbus
Feb. 22 vs. Colorado
Feb. 26 vs. Boston
March 9 vs. Rangers
March 21 vs. Washington
April 4 vs. Pittsburgh
April 7 vs. Islanders
As previously mentioned at Canes Country, Gleason has seemingly switched his jersey to No. 6, which was worn in recent years by the now-departed Bret Hedican.
Bubba is attending the event and will have more details about the press conference and maybe even some pictures of the Canes’ new garb tonight or tomorrow.
Side note: CanesVision Online streamed the press conference for all to see. Kudos to the Canes and the NHL for taking advantage of the Web and making it available to those who couldn’t attend. Also, the Canes now have a photo gallery up on their site.
About the Author: I'm a sports fan with a background in sports writing, editing and design. I grew up in Western Massachusetts and graduated from a college in Central New York with my degree in journalism. I moved to the Triangle in early 2000 and have been a season ticket holder since 2005. You can reach me at 
TylerA | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I think they look pretty sweet
chris | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
im not a big fan of these.
ive always loved the red and whites,
but maybe im just not a fan of change.
not to mention im already missing the big red hurricane on the front after just watching that video for 20 minutes
but for what they are,
they are nice.
salim919 | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
i like them
Fred | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I attended the event and even with the rain there were a lot of fans there. I thought it was interesting that Rutherford said it was a league mandated thing that they could only wear the new jerseys 15 times this year. Someone asked the question if the Canes won the majority of games with the new uniforms, would they consider wearing them more. JR mentioned possibly in the coming years but not this year.
I felt the media in attendance asked some very lame questions. Chip Alexander, Mike from The Fan and some others were there. I also felt they should have presented an opportunity for fans to ask questions and the fans probably would have asked more intelligent questions than “Do you feel quicker?” or “Do you look more intimidating?”. Oh well, fluff for now, hard hitting questions later.
Forslund did a great job as usual and it seems that the Canes are very lucky to have a guy like that working for us.
Bubba | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Agreed about Forslund, Fred.
I took a few pics but doubt they are better than what else is out there, we’ll see tonight.
I was impressed with the sound system. Sounded really good from where I was sitting, very crisp and clear.
The question was also asked about the flag itself, and the answer is that it’s considered a “Hurricane warning” flag. We now might be able to finally put that issue to bed. : -)
Swenk | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know if it was the black jersey….but Tim Gleason looked huge across the shoulders. I like that they kept it simple with the design, all black. Red helmets or pants would have destroyed the clean look of our new 3rd jersey. Mos def am glad they omitted the piping around the shoulders!
Does anyone know if the home team continues in dark this year or does it switch back the whites?
Hanrahanfan | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I think they turned out pretty sharp actually. It coulda been worse anyways………
Mateo | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
For several years people have speculated over what the 3rd jersey would look like (if we ever got one)… and some of the art posted around the net of what people thought a third jersey might look like were HORRIBLE!
I’m glad to say that these were not as bad as I expected. I’m not usually negative about the team… But I didn’t have high hopes for this particular project. But the new jerseys are clean looking and simple and very tasteful.
Thank God they didn’t go for the cartoon stormy logo!
repenttokyo | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I think they look great! WAAAAAY better than that crazy ghost pirate ship thing that floated around the net a few years back.
Cory | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I added to the very bottom of the article a link to the Canes photo gallery, for those who want to see more pics.
Cory | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Timmy has a Garth (from Wayne’s World) face in one of the close-ups of him in the gallery … lol
Ivan | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I just wish they had a stripe around the shoulders, like a silver stripe. Other than that I think they look great. Nothing like Ruutu in black flying around the ice making people black and blue all over!
Nathan | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Although I’m a big fan of our windswept flag, I’m not a big fan of these jerseys. My biggest complaint about them is that what we got is exactly what every armchair graphic “artiste” has been coming up with for the last year or so. They pay people and the best that they can come up with is this? Leaves a lot to be desired in mind. The worst thing about the jersey is the eye logo on the shoulders. It’s so dark, why even put it there?
neaux | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I think the black looks great. I’ll be definately considering a purchase.
JohnS | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I hate the new jerseys - they make us look like the damn Sabres for cryin’ out loud. If the ‘Canes had to come up with a second jersey, they should have stayed with the
dominate red color scheme. They are ugly, ugly, ugly.
You don’t see Montreal or Detroit or doing this stuff, it’s just a gimmick . At least when the Rangers developed a third jersey you could still knew who you were playing.
I am almost always positive about the team and can’t wait for the season to start. However, these uniforms are a bad idea.
I bet they don’t sell …………
Eman | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I like the new look. I think the change will wash in with the season to support “change”… many new faces on the roster and so on. This is timely.
JohnS-I disagree regarding your comments about the similarity regarding Buffalo’s recent jersey change. The Sabres sweaters have gone through a huge evolution…. started off with the old time crossed Sabres crest and transition to the black, silver, grey buffalo heads on to the now tagged Banana Slug. The Canes have not done that much changing here (not counting the Whalers gear)-the logos are switched but they are still the same as always….personal note I’ve always preferred the flag logo. Yes the black is a big switcharoo from the old red and whites, but I guess it all comes to the matter of what you like. By the way-I’ll take that bet that they sell. Say loser buys the beer and food for a proper pre-game traditional?? Despite the differing opinion you still can’t beat a fine hockey game experience. Here’s to the new season-Go Canes!!
wylde4canes | Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
The bottom border of the Jersey’s is not good at all in my opinion. I also think it was pretty unoriginal and anti climactic. I, for one, am not a huge fan, but it could have been worse. I am also disappointed they did not do lace up necks.
repenttokyo | Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
John S: Detroit did have an alternate Jersey in the 90’s a retro one.
CaniacInFL | Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
“The Black Storm” (with apologies to the legendary Black Watch Regiment).
Nocahoma | Oct 10, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been saying this for years, and now a silly mistake has sullied what is otherwise a sweet-looking uni — The SINGLE square flag is meant to indicate a Tropical Storm Warning, NOT a Hurricane Warning. A Hurricane warning is indicated by TWO flags, hung vertically.
http://www.navytimes.com/xml/news/2007/05/coastguard_flags_070530w/070530_nt_cgwarning_story.JPG
It’s one thing to have one on one shoulder and one on the other — at least that makes the requisite two flags. Announcing a “lesser storm” is pretty emasculating, if you ask me.