The upcoming 2007/08 NHL season will see some of the biggest changes in decades. No not in the rules but to the uniforms. Not since teams switched from the old wool sweaters to synthetic fabrics in the early 1960s has the NHL seen a change like this. As many NHL fans already know, the league is unveiling sleeker, lighter, more durable hockey uniforms from Reebok. Rbk claims they will enable players to skate faster, increase their range of motion, while keeping players drier and cooler on the ice. All 30 NHL teams must switch to the new uniforms for the 2007-08 season. There will only be two jerseys this season, home dark and away white. The alternate/3rd jersey is discontinued for the 2007-08 season.
The NHL and Reebok (Rbk) have spent 30 months designing and testing the new uniforms. Rbk is claiming the new jerseys have incredible technology that will enable players to perform better. They also say the revamped uniforms will give players unprecedented performance and protection. As you know, hockey players are an extremely superstitious group and are very resistant to change. In order to prevent a player revolt the NHL and Reebok incorporated feedback from the NHLPA, general managers, retired stars and even draft picks. Luckily the players were involved early in the design stage, as Reebok wanted to make each jersey tuck inside players pants. The design would have trapped too much heat near players' bodies and changed the overall loose jersey look. The new jerseys are tapered and more form fitting in the past and are custom made for each player. Nearly all 750 NHL players, from stars to role players, have been personally fitted by Reebok.
Here are the specifications for the Rbk Edge Uniform system:
- The uniforms are 14% lighter in pregame weight, the equivalent of more than a 6-ounce puck in weight. Current jerseys and socks absorb moisture from sweat, ice and water bottles. But water repellent "Bead Away" technology allows the new Reebok uni's to retain 76% less moisture. The result? The lighter, drier uniforms generate 9% less wind drag in wind tunnel tests at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This will translate into faster, less fatigued players, says Reebok.
- The new uniforms are more ergonomically fitted to a player's body, shoulder and elbow pads, pants and shin guards. But newer fabrics such as stretch mesh actually give players greater range of motion because the uniforms move with their bodies.
- Safety is another factor to the new uniform system with Rbk EDGE core protector. Reebok JOFA JDP hip protection absorbs energy and allows players to go into corners with greater confidence. Strenuous impact tests show 61% more hip protection over current pants.
- The new Rbk EDGE socks could make tape obsolete. Thanks to a combination of materials and a more anatomical cut, the new socks are designed to support shin pads, resist moisture and last longer than current socks.
- Ventilated "Play Dry" fabric helps wick away sweat and heat buildup, keeping players 4 to 10 degrees cooler, according to thermal lab tests at Central Michigan University. The newer, more rugged construction materials will double the life span of uniforms, O'Toole says.
To see what the new NHL Reebok EDGE jerseys look like I've listed links to the teams that have unveiled their new Reebok EDGE jerseys, some teams have drastically changed their jerseys:
- Minnesota Wild Jersey - Carolina Hurricanes Jersey
- Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey - Montreal Canadiens Jersey
- Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey - Calgary Flames Jersey
- Philadelphia Flyers Jersey - Vancouver Canucks Jersey
- Detroit Red Wings Jersey - Ottawa Senators Jersey
- Washington Capitals Jersey - New York Islanders Jersey
- Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey - Nashville Predators Jersey
- Florida Panthers Jersey - Columbus Blue Jackets Jersey
The NHL is introducing 4 new rule changes for the 2008-2009 season. I am not always in agreement with changes that are introduced by the league but I have to say that 3 of the 4 new tweaks should help the game. I think that #2 could be a good rule but it is very subjective and the refs will not enforce it properly.
