Flames Unveil New Uniforms!
The Calgary Flames have become the 14th NHL team to unveil their new Rbk EDGE uniforms. Check out Craig Conroy modeling the newest in the progression of Flames sweaters.
The element that seems to be causing the most controversy is the patch on the right shoulder which is the flag of the province of Alberta.
The left shoulder of the jersey features the Canadian flag. From the team's official release: “Among the enhancements, we are pleased to carry our National and Provincial flags on our home and road jerseys this season,” said Flames President & CEO Ken King.
“As proud Canadians and proud Albertans, our desire is to display the identity of our country and province and carry them throughout North America and the world. Our jersey incorporates our strong history, the latest in technology, and is something our players and fans will be proud to wear.”
These new jerseys are very nice and Flames fans should be thrilled! Enjoy your big day!
Coming tomorrow... the Pittsburgh Penguins.
UPDATE (5:06 PM): Thought you guys might like to see these jerseys on players in full gear. Here, Dion Phaneuf and Matt Lombardi model the new uniforms at the unveiling ceremony at Flames Central today.
I can't say I have any complaints. I'm really liking the giant logos on the front. I never liked the huge jerseys with such small logos on the front. Never really made any sense to me. It's your team's symbol. Show it off, dammit!
Anyway, thanks for the comments you guys have posted so far. I'm sure there will be many more to come. As for my two cents, I think the flag shoulder logos are a very nice touch. I don't think the blue flag clashes at all. I think it just stands out.
I also like the idea someone suggested of the Oilers incorporating a new shoulder logo with the outline of Alberta. The Lightning's secondary logo has an outline of the state of Florida and I really like that.
72 comments:
I like them less the Alberta and Canadian flags. If they were hellbent on having the Alberta coat of arms they should have just put the crest and not the entire flag. The blue doesn't really go.
http://www.themayorofawesometown.com
ok, im an oilers fan, but i have nothing but respect for the flames because they are a classy club and have built a great team over the years. but when they play my oil, i'll say something different lol
and im all for canadian pride and alberta pride because im from edmonton. but to have the alberta flag? that just doesnt work for me. i think its cheesey and shows a lack of idea's for a other logo. it just seems to be an attempt to win the hearts of nonhockey fans because they will appear to be "alberta's team". but thats just me. i dont like the alberta flag being on there. if it was just the crest sure like what some people have submitted on their concept ideas, but not the whole flag.
looks sharp...although I note with amusement that even though there are many native Albertans on the team, they picked an American to model the new shirts.
Love the flags, and think it would be great if the Oilers had the Alberta flag on their shirt as well.
Overall, the last Flames shirt was pretty good so I am glad to see only minor changes.
Wow, that's ugly. The black sleeves and the large black collar make the red part look like it's just a really-bad fitting t-shirt. And the Alberta coat of arms on the side doesn't work either.
Yikes...
looks pretty cheesy...good i hate the flames
UGGGGGLYYYY.
So far canada is 1 for 4 in the jersey department.
Lose the black. It's not one of your colors. Otherwise awesome jersey. The flags are a NICE touch. Look for copycats to follow. Edmonton will have the shape of Alberta I'm sure.This has got to be a dig at them.
i like it just not the shoulder patches.
Again, what the bleeding crap is with this piping? Why do teams insist on this? It looks freakin' ridiculous.
Oh, and I have to laugh at the blue Alberta flag on there. Why not just put the coat of arms and a maple leaf on the shoulders, as the Mayor suggests? Or, really, why even bother? Remember when the Leafs and Bruins were pretty much the only ones with anything on their shoulders?
Well unless Edmonton already had that patch in the works so both teams can share the province's 100 yrs of hockey in Alberta.
hey, i remember that jersey that's way over on the left side. the best looking one of the bunch.
Mayor: the shield is an official government logo and there are restrictions on its use. The flag is ok, however.
Czar: Black is an official color, and has been since their first uniform change back in the mid 90's. Note also that Red and Black are the predominant colors for all of Calgary's sports teams: Flames, Stampeders, Dinos, Hitmen, Roughnecks and Vipers.
Everyone: I really don't think the Alberta flag on the shoulder is a dig at anyone. There may be an attempt to reach out to the region as a whole, however, in Alberta, there are very few (if any) in this region that haven't already made their mind up vis a vis Flames or Oilers. Ken King is right - Calgarians are proud Albertans and Canadians (just like Edmontonians) and it's ok to wave the flag to that effect.
Everyone: I agree - piping is unnecessary.
"Wow, that's ugly. The black sleeves and the large black collar make the red part look like it's just a really-bad fitting t-shirt. And the Alberta coat of arms on the side doesn't work either."
Most of that black "collar" comes from the model's shirt that he's wearing underneath the jersey. If you look at the jersery on its own, the black collar is fairly small.
I don't mind the coat of arms on the shoulder, but what in the hell were they thinking adding the blue flag portion? Looks too NASCAR. Rest of the uniform is great.
It's a shame that provincial crest is on a blue patch. Talk about out of place... it wouldn't be a terrible idea if they didn't add an abnormal colour to the shirt.
I hate the flags, it's like they think they're the only canadian team.
the flags on the jersey should only be used in the all-star game... thats brutal.. go back to the horse!
-Josh-
are u guys crazy have some freakin class and be proud of where your from ya the patches may not look that great but still it represents your province and a great country atleast it dosnt say CALGARY in huge fuckin letter over the god dam flame ITS JUST TWO PATCHES the rest of the jersey is great
i like the flags, but they would look much better on the last flames sweater from the mike vernon days.
THE PROVINCE PATCH AND CANADIAN PATCH SHOULD BE ON ALL CANADIAN JERSEYS
wowwwww thats a gross jersey.
the horizontal and vertical stripes are just too much. along with the random black line that goes up the side and down the sleve makes this jersey one of the worst yet. also the flags dont work for me. i can see them maybe if calgarys the only team in canada, but theres 5 others. theres also another in alberta so i dont think they work.
I think they should have an American flag somewhere for the way the name (Flames) represents the burning of Atlanta in the American Civil War.
As much as I love to hate the flames (Canucks fan) I think the previous flames unis were the best in the league. These ones are ok just lose the yellow and the patch and they will once again be the best. Also the Calgary stampeders have the best unis in the CFL after the Lions.
Wow, Red, Orange, Black, and BLUE!!! And everyone was bashing Vancouver.... Way to go Calgary, you have officially created BY FAR the 2nd UNGLIEST Jersey in the LEAGUE! (no disrespect to Atlanta's Blue home jersey. And Nashville's puke jersey was a runaway favorite, but they finally scrapped that idea). Good to see they didn't screw up their logo like Buffalo. Overall, 2 thumbs down!!
i think the dude that was Anonymous that wrote that we should be proud of having our provinces flag and the countries flag on the jersey is right
The socks I'm pretty sure are the German National teams for away games...I don't like the overall look although the jerseys didn't change much. I don't think I'll be shelling out any $$ for the new look. The coat of arms with a gold trim would have been 1000x better than the flag.
Ok, so after a break to think about that, here is my comment about that jersey.
I'm in shock. And it's not because of the shoulders pads. The Canada one is correct, and should be on both shoulders if you ask me. Just replacing the horse on the now old flames jersey would have been an amelioration.
For the blue one, I think we will have to wait and get accomoded to. if I was a Alberta fan, maybe I would enjoy having my province on my shoulder. And don't think the blue is a bad contrast, it is in fact designed to be first thing noticed. So time will tell.
The problem start for me with the striping. No good if you ask me. In fact, it's not utile to have these stripes.
The terrible area is the bottom. The old one was curved, like a V, and was relatively hight (maybe 2-3 inches on each side.) It was neat and clean.
Now we have a mess up of lines, and a little bottom of about less than one inche. It don't look as good. It looks modern, but fragile.
So to sum up it's a donwgrade for me, and I'm shocked of that. The shoulders I can live with, but the piping and the messed up bottom is not correct.
Yes the Flames had one of the 3 bests uniforms in the league. Not for now. At least they keep the color sheme, with the C black, witch rule.
So a great day is off, with a sense of emptiness in my heart.
Ha ha ha! Wow, what incredibly bad taste. Why do the Flames feel the need to express national/regional pride? This is a big money NHL franchise not a representation of Canadian national identity. Why not just stencil the cities coat of arms on to their asses?
GROSS
The flags on the shoulders remind me of the N.A. vs World All Star era. The jerseys aren't overly bad though.
It really pisses me off that they went out and stuck on Canadian flag on their jersey. How did they get the NHL to approve this? They are going out and trying to make themselves look as Canadas team which I am sure they will now run market schemes for, when not only are they not Canadas team, we are mostly East populated, not West. And not to mention, if Canada had a team it would be Toronto or Montreal. Plain and simple. Same thing with the Alberta patch, they are just looking to give this braging rights to call them selves the team of Alberta and the team of Canada. Ridiculous!
Vancouver had to spread their name over the jersey so that we wouldn't forget where they are from, but Calgary has taken it a step further by putting the Canadian flag so we know what country they are from.
the only possible reason this could be a downgrade is because of how good the jerseys were before.
as for me i love em minus the side piping. flags look great!
Wow... you guys are so bitter about these patches.
Why would you be upset? It's just a patch for heck's sakes. If they're proud to be Canadian/Albertan, let them be. Nobody's ranting about how Tampa has a silhouette of the state of Florida in their secondary logo and notice how the Panthers are called "Florida" Panthers?
I have a Canada flag on my backpack, does that mean I'm proclaiming it to be Canada's backpack?
You guys just need to realize that there are other Canadian teams in Canada that aren't from Ontario or Quebec. Toronto should be the lastt to garnder the title of "Canada's team". They've sucked for way too long and frankly, it's embarrassing.
In conclusion, the old jerseys look way better anyways. RBK ruined the sport of hockey.
anyone know if the numbers are still the same or if they have changed?
fuckin calgary. what the fuck is up with the flags? not fucking canadas or albertas team. wish what you want calgary fans. youre not. youve one stanley cup and it was years ago. so dont put that shit on the fuckin jersey. i hope edmonton comes out with something so much better and not do something so rediculous. this isnt the allstar game. its like the national anthems being played. if your gunna play one play each anthem for each nationality a team has. its retarded. proves my point even more calgary is retarded and shows no class. because i agree with the other post, they are going to use it in marketing schemes now. no class. i do hope the go up in 'flames' and burn to nothing.
"fuckin calgary. what the fuck is up with the flags? not fucking canadas or albertas team. wish what you want calgary fans. youre not. youve one stanley cup and it was years ago. so dont put that shit on the fuckin jersey. i hope edmonton comes out with something so much better and not do something so rediculous. this isnt the allstar game. its like the national anthems being played. if your gunna play one play each anthem for each nationality a team has. its retarded. proves my point even more calgary is retarded and shows no class. because i agree with the other post, they are going to use it in marketing schemes now. no class. i do hope the go up in 'flames' and burn to nothing."
...This dude needs to go back to rehab.
The White Flaming "C" on the pants is a nice touch.
These sweaters are NASTY!!
....
And I don't mean the good nasty.
Is it just me, or do MOST of the old logos and jerseys look better...Buffalo, Edmonton, Calgary, Philly, North Stars, LA etc.
Maybe I'm just old...
"fuckin calgary. what the fuck is up with the flags? not fucking canadas or albertas team. wish what you want calgary fans. youre not. youve one stanley cup and it was years ago. so dont put that shit on the fuckin jersey. i hope edmonton comes out with something so much better and not do something so rediculous. this isnt the allstar game. its like the national anthems being played. if your gunna play one play each anthem for each nationality a team has. its retarded. proves my point even more calgary is retarded and shows no class. because i agree with the other post, they are going to use it in marketing schemes now. no class. i do hope the go up in 'flames' and burn to nothing."
LOL I LOVE THAT GUY LOL
As a big oilers homer i bleed Orange err... i mean copper and blue, I actually like the flames jerseys. Except the canada and alberta patch, the canada one isn't that bad cause the colors of the alberta patch just looks out of place. I guess trying to have a little oil colors! lol
I absolutly love it, I think the Canadian flag and the Alberta flag on the shoulders are a great idea I'm a proud Canadian and a proud Albertian and just seeing that on their jersey makes me want to stand up and chear
I really don't understand all the hissy fits that are being thrown here. So what, they put our flags on the shoulder's, yeah I think they're trying to shove it in everone's face that they're Canada's/Alberta's team, that was their motive. You bunch of moron's once you stop pouting and crying, take the time to realize, It's just a friggin jersey for a sports team, give it up.
I'm a Calgary fan and resident but I'm going to be as objective as I can be.
First of all, the flags right now are only a 1 year thing, they had to get permission from the government to actually use them so it's not that big a deal. I personally think they look out of place but I feel I should defend the team for using them. The purpose of the flags is to show pride in where they come from, it doesn't mean that they're trying to be the sole Canadian/Albertan team. As mentioned, Tampa puts the state of Florida on their side patch and I don't think I've ever heard anyone make a big deal out of it despite having two teams from the state of Florida. So why is this such a big deal? Furthermore, how does showing pride in where you came from come off as "classless"?
Lastly, the jerseys were better before sans the horse, the piping looks stupid especially around the sleeve where it just stops and the numbers don't even go to that spot, they are above it.
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070904/capt.a2ec01e31a6843ae8b2c0bdf208d6be1.calgary_flames_uniforms_hockey_jmc101.jpg
I'm not too fond of the stripes going down into the pants either as the striping doesn't match colour wise on the road jersey with the pants. Personally I think they should have left the design alone and just retrofitted it to the shape of the new jersey.
Calgary homeboy talking.
Not to side with the dirty oilers, but they have a point.
Calgary is neither Canada's team, nor Alberta's. Using the flags as-is, is both simplistic and self centered.
If they wanted to use the Canadian/Albertan logos, they should've incorporated them in a better way (see CBJ).
Blue is by no means a Calgary colour, and the Canadian flag just has me thinking of the AllStar Games in Tampa.
And the racing stripes down the side? Terrible.
The V mark is gone, and the misuse of 'piping line' is off the chart.
Highly disappointed.
Oh, and by the way, nuts to you Edmonton.
I quite like the Alberta flag and Canadian flag. Nice touch. I'm not even from Alberta!
If there is anything to complain about, it's the screwed up design under the sleeves. What's up with that? Totally disjointed. A two-year old could come up with something more smooth.
Quite possibly one of the worst new jerseys. Right up there with Florida, Nashville and Vancouver.
Where to start. Let's see. The piping on the arms just stops in a random spot near the bicep. On the white jersey on the bottom a red and yellow vertical stripe runs directly into black, white, yellow and red horizontal stripes.
Just a mismash of garbage.
I love the jerseys. I like the Albertan and Canadian flags on the shoulders. Good job on the jerseys Calgary.
I'm really, really, REALLY getting the feeling that this is a subtle neener-neener gesture on the part of the Tories. Paranoid conspiracy-generating most likely, but throwing the whole nation's flag only onto the shoulders of the teams (I assure you the Oilers jerseys are going to have the exact same thing) from the heartland of the convervative gov't just feels a teensy bit too coincidential. I could potentially understand putting the Canadian flag onto all six canadian team jerseys (but even then it seems out of place given the huge Canadian presence in 'American' teams), but making it exclusive to the Alberta teams just comes off as more evidence of Albertans thinking their patch of dirt is the center of the universe.
Potential for a great jersey, ruined by silliness. The lines up the sides and under the bicep are idiotic.
They've made the same mistake as Washington, with thin stripes at the bottom across the waist. Sephiroth said it makes the jersey look "fragile" and I agree. Compare to their first jersey with that BOLD waist striping.
I do like how the jersey looks with a predominately black C as opposed to the white of the past. But like so many others, this is ruined by trying to be cutesy and cutting-edge.
Like another poster said, look how great their first jersey on the left looks.
i think we're all forgetting something here. and its that albertans are the most proud province in all of canada. so that they would plaster themselves with provincial/national symbols is no big surprise.
that being said as a quebecer(but proud canadian) i hate the flags being there it makes it seem as if they are the only ones who care about the country giving the rest of the canadian teams the preverbial F U we're more canadian.
the best thing the oilers can do is not retort. at this rate they'll be wearing hockey canada jerseys by xmas.
that being said we all need to realize there are only two TRUE canadian teams.
Habs and the leafs.
sorry other teams we're better.
Walt McKechnie, the Caps made no mistakes. Every Caps fan I have spoken to loves their new unis, and the ones that don't are the ones who don't think the team should wear red, white and blue, and they don't count. That said, all they really changed was the shoulder patches. They look fine. Representations can be argued, but for shear look - Fine. I'll stay out of the "if they belong" arguement though.
i don't understand why us nhl fans complain about such small things relax there find jerseys
While the Alberta flag patch is a good idea "in theory", I think it looks ridiculous with the red of the Flames jersey.
"Every Caps fan I have spoken to loves their new unis, and the ones that don't are the ones who don't think the team should wear red, white and blue, and they don't count."
Uh, so you're saying "everyone loves it because anyone out there who disagreed with the change dosen't count" Great statistics there, Reuters.
the jersey's kickass, sure. i love the lacing at the top of the home jersey now appears on the away... but from the waist down, it's depressing. those breezers are HIDEOUS. check out the pic on my site...
Only complaint I have is that the Flames have unfortunately and unwisely eliminated yellow from their color scheme. The black does not go well with the red. I am really disappointed that they have kept the black pants and black trim.
not only do they have the Alberta flag and the Canada flag on the new unis, check out that sweet German flag on their away socks ;)
So much for improving on one of the best uniforms in the league. I am very disappointed and I doubt I'll be buying one right away. I understand the idea behind the flags but blue just doesn't go at all!!!! The pictures of the whole uniform really do look like the last Flames uniform was put in a blender with the German National team uniform. And what is up with the weird socks.....they don't even match. Somebody tell me why, why, why, why did they have to change the uniform at all?????????
"Ken King is right - Calgarians are proud Albertans and Canadians (just like Edmontonians) and it's ok to wave the flag to that effect."
Except how many of the PLAYERS identify with the Alberta flag? Or even with the Canadian one? Your goalie is from Finland for chrissake. Players are the core of a team, not the fans.
Jesus, what did the NHL do to Reebok to get it so pissed off? What did we do to deserve these aesthetic abortions? WE'RE SORRY, REEBOK! WE'RE SO FREAKIN' SORRY! PLEASE, ANYTHING TO STOP THE FLOOD OF POOR DESIGN!
The goalie may be from Finland, but the captain is from Alberta. The GM too. But that's not the point - players come and go, but the bond between the team and the city or region goes on.
I would like to see the flags on the shoulders for more than one year - although it does appear as if this is just a temporary thing, according to a Canadian Press report. There have been some really childish and ignorant comments on this post - I am surprised the moderator hasn't blocked comments yet. I am going to continue to take the high road and say only this: nobody has a monopoly on patriotism or nationalism. US hockey fans would not begrudge more than one team referencing US or state emblems, yet many of us Canadians are too insecure to let that happen. Almost like one person's expression of nationalism means that another person is less patriotic. It's simply not true, and it's ridiculous. We should all grow up a bit.
On another note...the Marketing grad in me has wondered these past few hours why they didn't go with a stylized secondary logo with provincial themes. Not because it would upset the Eastern Canadians or Edmontonians - but because it limits their ability to market a broader range of products to fans. With half as many logos - you get half as many choices of hats, shirts, etc.
I will leave it at that. Please people, stop looking for insults where there aren't any. Start realizing we can all be proud Canadians and wear the flag at the same time.
Flames most popular jersey ever was the reincarnation of the red, only with the black logo. Hands down, nicest jersey in the league...
Then this? I'd like to just draw attention to the side striping. What a wreck. The idea of the flags was a great one, but lost the baby blue- like a commenter said prior, PLEASE just throw on the coat of arms.
i think the design problem with the flags is that the canadian one is surrounded by white but the one from alberta.
if you ask me, both should be surrounded by a black line and the whole thing would be quite ok.
I am going to continue to take the high road and say only this: nobody has a monopoly on patriotism or nationalism.
Yet by putting the flags on the uniforms, the Falmes are claiming exactly that.
Yet by putting the flags on the uniforms, the Falmes are claiming exactly that.
Not really. Lots of other teams (like the Leafs, the Canadiens, the Canucks, the Rangers, the Capitals, the Blue Jackets) have done the same thing through their nicknames, colors, logos, etc, etc. And there are (and should be) no restrictions on anyone else from doing the same sort of thing.
Boy everyone sure jumps on Calgary for putting the flags they're proud of on their uniform. Hey, how come no one gets mad at Montreal, they named the freakin Canadiens for crying out loud, they are obviously arrogant jerks who think they are Canada's team, or the Canucks(as much as I hate being called a canuck) them too. So apparently Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal are all monoplizing jerks who think they are Canada.
I think it's a great jersey, I already bought one.
And that comment about the tories trying to say naaaa naaaa. Give me a break you hoser, there's probably a conspiracy theorist blog ou can check out.
ok now im not going to criticize them for the alberta crest, its a good idea however, i dont think it was neccessary to get the full out FLAG.. maybe the outline of Alberta (although i know it isnt the most creative shape) or even that CREST.. i think the Blue Flag is a bit distracting and would be something ud expect to see on some sort of Provincial or International team.
the Canadian flag im not exactly thrilled about, i mean yes they can be proud theya re canadian, who isnt? but i dont think we need a big ass Canadian flag to remind us that they're a canadian team.. you can still incorporate Canada without putting the full out flag on the shoulders. take a look at ottawa's old shoulder crest for example.. the peace tower with the canadian maple leaf in the background.. thats all thats needed, and hell, even the alberta crest is plenty evidence that they're canadian
sorry for rambling, but im just saying, they didnt need to put the literal flags on.. there are other ways to represent your province/state/country (Tampa, Dallas come to mind)
The uniform is not bad, the changes were subtle but effective. I absolutely love the flag crests on the shoulders. It is a great step that a Canadian Franchise wants to publically display the pride in both their province and nation. The business model of NHL seems to bleed American blood a country who stole this great game from Canada and makes lame attempt after attempt to make it their own. The demographics of the USA allow this to happen with ease because yes, the NHL wouldn't be as strong without the American franchises but Calgary is making a bold statement here in publically displaying its Canadaian roots and I for one think it's great. I've always liked this franchise and now respect them all the more. GO LEAFS GO!
I think that the flags are a way to prove to everyone that they are canadian. every other canadian team has a way to represent itself as canadian or the province thier from.(ex. Montreal CANADIANS, vancouver CANUCKS, ottawa SENATORS-canadas capital city, toronto MAPLE LEAFS, edmonton oiler -alberta is famous for thier oil) Calgary flames has nothing to do with canada or alberta. They are just trying to show were they are from...but over all i think the alberta flag lok stupid because it is blue
The jerseys are actually quite nice. The stripes are unique and not too overwhelming. Still has a classic look.
I do have a problem with the shoulder patches however. Nothing to do with being patriotic about where the team is from, just seems like a bit of a cop out. There are many ways to incorporate the sheild of Alberta and the Canadian flag into a secondary logo with a greater effect. It would also save the Flames a Loonie per jersey buying the patches from the local Army & Navy shop.
all canadians and albertans that dont like the flames should be offended at the shoulder patches. first, the canadian flag is a great reptesentation for canadian nationalism but there are 5 other canadian teams out there, so why dont they put the canadian flag on the canucks, oilers, leafs, sens and canadiens? second, all oiler fans are going to hate the fact that the flames have the albertan flag as a shoulder patch which gives the impression that the flames are albertas team. im sure that debate will heat up the rivalry even more between those 2 teams but they are just playing hockey after all. thirdly, i really liked the secondary flaming horse logo and id prefer that design of that over the canadian and albertan flag.
Post a Comment