The Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen are throwing it aaaaaall the way back for their new third jerseys.
The team unveiled the jerseys on their social media channels on Wednesday, January 17. They’re mostly black with the team’s original logo from the 1995-96 season on the front. The logo consists of the word “HITMEN” spelled out in front of a pink starburst and two crossed grey hockey sticks. This was a last-minute substitute logo for the team after the one they’d originally unveiled — which depicted a masked hockey player emerging out of a triangle — was deemed too violent. The WHL relented a year later, though, and the “Jason Voorhees” logo was restored.
The jersey also has a pink collar with black trim and pink striping around the shoulders. Pink flames with a grey outline adorn each sleeve, and three pink stripes run around the waist.
The color scheme, striping and flames are nods to five-time World Wrestling Federation Champion Bret “The Hitman” Hart, after whom the team is named and who was among the original investors in the team. The team was sold to the Calgary Flames in 1996, but Hart has maintained a close relationship with the Hitmen since, often participating in special events and jersey unveilings.
The Hitmen’s mask logo appears on each shoulder of the new third jersey, recolored in pink and black. The names and numbers on the sleeves and back are set in a white block font with pink outlines. Printed inside the collar is one of Hart’s signature catchphrases: “The best there is. The best there was. The best there ever will be.”
The jerseys are paired with black helmets, pants and gloves, along with black socks with three pink stripes around the shins.
The Hitmen will wear their new third jerseys on the ice for the first time at home against the Prince Albert Raiders on Sunday, January 21.
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