The Adirondack Phantoms, American Hockey League affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, are set to open what is likely to be their final season in Glen Falls, NY before relocating south to Lehigh Vally, Pennsylvania for the 2013-14 season.
With that possibility in mind the club has decided to go back, waaaay back, to honour the previous AHL team that called their town home, the Adirondack Red Wings – despite the obvious difference in NHL affiliation.
For the Phantoms home opener on October 13th, the club will wear special uniforms to pay tribute to the Red Wings.
They’re not going all-the-way with this tribute, they won’t be wearing the actual jerseys the Red Wings wore during their time in Adirondack from 1979-1999, which were a direct copy of the Detroit Red Wings… that might be pushing it a little too far for a team which has been affiliated with the Flyers for so long.
Instead we’re seeing a Red Wings “inspired” jersey, the Phantoms colours of black, orange, and purple will be replaced by red, and white. The Phantoms primary logo will be shifted from the jersey front to the shoulder (along with a Philadelphia Flyers logo).
Diagonally on the front of the jersey will be “ADIRONDACK” in red and white.
“Last year on Opening Night, our fans loved how we spelled out ADIRONDACK across the front and we received a lot of positive feedback asking us to do that again… For this year, we are also incorporating the traditional colors of the former Adirondack Red Wings which we know our fans will really enjoy.” – Phantoms Executive VP Chris Porreca
The Adirondack Red Wings won four Calder Cups during their twenty years in Glen Falls and had several NHL stars suit up for them such as Adam Oates, Pete Mahovlich, Chris Osgood, Keith Primeau, Bob Probert, and Adam Graves.
More special Adirondack Phantoms jerseys are being designed for the 2012-13 season, the club has worn uniforms in the past including one for breast cancer awareness, and for 1980 Team USA “Miracle on Ice” Olympic club. The lineup for 2013 has yet to be announced.
The special Red Wings jerseys will be auctioned off following the game on October 13th.
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