Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs have unveiled a new version of their traditional St. Pats jerseys.
The jerseys were launched on the Maple Leafs’ social media channels on Monday, March 11, and they’ll be worn on March 16 when the Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes.
The biggest change is the crest, which is now shaped like a shamrock with “ST. PATS” arched across it. The crest has a thick white outline to set it apart from the green band across the chest and several lines of white stitching around the edges.
Unlike previous years, the chest band does not continue around the back of the jersey. Broad green stripes also run around each arm and the waist, and narrow green stripes run around the cuffs. The collar is solid white, while a green band inside the collar reads “HONOUR. PRIDE. COURAGE.”
Names and numbers on the back and sleeves are one-color green. The font used appears to be a rounded version of the block font the Leafs use on their usual home and away jerseys. The captain’s C and alternate captains’ A are also one-color green, as is the “Milk” ad on the right chest.
In the announcement video, players were seen wearing green helmets and gloves with the white jersey. The pants appear to be solid green, and the socks are white with broad green stripes that match the arms of the jersey.
The Toronto St. Patricks played in the NHL from 1919 to 1927 and are the direct predecessor to the Maple Leafs franchise as we know it today. When the rights to the Toronto franchise — then called the Arenas — were purchased in 1919 by a group of investors with links to an amateur club called the “St. Patricks,” the NHL team was renamed after that club. After struggles on the ice and in the courtroom, the St. Patricks were put up for sale in 1927, which is when Conn Smythe bought the club and renamed it the Maple Leafs.
UPDATE March 16, 2024: Here they are! The new Toronto St. Pats uniforms in action tonight against Carolina: