USA Hockey's Jerseys Will Have Retro Look For '10 Olympics

Jerseys Will Be Sold In Nike Stores, On Nikestore.com

USA Hockey's Nike-designed jerseys that will be worn during the '10 Vancouver Olympics have a "decidedly retro look," according to Greg Wyshynski of YAHOO SPORTS. The "wavy red-and-white 'flag' on the 'S' from the logo" is gone, and in its place on the sweater is a logo that "harkens back to Olympic hockey glory in Team USA's history: including a third jersey that resembles the one worn during the team's gold medal run during" the '60 Squaw Valley Games. The blue jerseys, with the "Nike We the People Graphic," which was originally unveiled in Beijing, "allegedly features: The Statue of Liberty, represented by the torch," stars and stripes, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, "decorative elements from our nation's currency," the olive branch and arrows from the "talons of the American eagle in the Presidential seal," Celtic, African and Native American "symbols and influences" and a "bleeding heart representing Hispanic culture." A Nike spokesperson said the "We The People" image will be "on the sleeves as well as on the back bottom of the jersey." The jerseys will be sold in Nike stores across the U.S. and online at nikestore.com and vancouver2010.com (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/18).

NORTHERN LIGHTS: Hockey Canada Monday unveiled its jerseys for the '10 Games, and the GLOBE & MAIL's Allan Maki noted, "Opinions varied -- and strongly -- on how the new sweaters looked and whether they should come with a $135 price tag." A Globe & Mail poll asked Canadians if they would spend $135 for the new Team Canada jerseys, and "roughly 700 people said they would; more than 11,000 said they wouldn't." One reader polled said the jersey is "dull. It's unexciting. It's unremarkable. ... It appeals to no one in particular." However, Hockey Canada officials are "confident they can reach, or better, the 120,000 jerseys sold for" the '02 Salt Lake City Olympics. Hockey Canada Senior Exec Scott Smith: "The number of jerseys ordered by the retail outlets is as large as we've ever seen and that includes 2002" (CTVOLYMPICS.com, 8/18). In Toronto, Rob Granatstein wrote under the header, "New Team Canada Hockey Jersey Too Native." Granatstein: "There are some interesting elements, and it's far from being offensive, but is this really the right choice to put on the chests of our multimillion-dollar athletes playing Canada's game? We've missed the mark, but we lit the lamp on political correctness. Hooray for us" (TORONTO SUN, 8/18).