Hockey Canada recently offered a sneak peek of the jerseys the Olympic hockey teams will wear in Milan, sparking immediate reactions among fans. Despite the final roster submission being more than a month away, the focus has shifted to the design—especially the color choices.
Fans quickly voiced their discontent with the inclusion of black, a color not traditionally associated with the Canadian flag. Many expressed confusion and frustration on social media.
“I’ve never seen Black on a Canadian Flag,” tweeted @CalderSnub22.
“I’ll never understand the obsession of adding black to our color scheme,” shared @kjc_2599.
The jerseys appear to feature thick black stripes on the sleeves and may bring back the black maple leaf emblem seen during the Beijing Olympics. That Beijing team, which did not include NHL players, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden.
This history might explain the desire among fans for a fresh look.
Some commenters noted a lack of major changes from past iterations, expressing disappointment.
“So basically the same as the previous Olympic jerseys? Logos and strips look the same. Disappointing,” wrote @curmudgeonaf.
The official jersey unveiling was scheduled for Thursday, and the new design contrasts with the primarily red and white uniforms worn at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which Team Canada won.
“It's a shame because the 4 Nations jersey was elite,” tweeted @DrCrackOfficial.
Canadian fans remain divided over the Olympic hockey jerseys' black elements, highlighting strong attachments to traditional national colors and past successful designs.
Author’s summary: Fan reactions to Hockey Canada’s Olympic jersey teaser reveal deep-rooted preferences for traditional colors and disappointment with black design elements, reflecting passion for national identity in sports.