The National Hockey League revealed its jerseys for the upcoming 2016 World Cup of Hockey to mixed reviews on Wednesday.
The NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) teamed up with adidas to design and create the uniforms worn by more than 150 players during the tournament in Toronto that runs from September 17 to October 1.
“We took iconic emblems from each of the participating teams to create jerseys that honour the traditions of each nation and fused those with an emphasis on technical design for elite performance on the ice,” said Keith Leach, Sr. Director NHL, the adidas Group, in a press release.
The tourney will feature eight international teams; Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, USA, Europe, and North America.
The NHLPA said the design “is inspired by essential elements of national pride” for each participating team. Team Canada’s jersey, naturally, is red and features a stylized maple leaf in the centre of the sweater, as an outline of a large maple leaf highlights the sleeves of the jersey.
Or, as adidas describes it: “the three veins contained in the Dominion Leaf crest represent Canada’s three coasts and make this a mark to represent all of the Great North.”
Here’s a look at some of the jerseys:
“Players are always excited to wear their national colours on the international stage and these adidas uniforms certainly continue that tradition,” said NHLPA Special Assistant to the Executive Director, Mathieu Schneider.
However, judging by some of the reaction on social media, feeling about the uniforms are mixed.
“The 3 stripes on the world cup of hockey jerseys don’t fit, in my opinion,” Jered Petrou tweeted.
“Officially all in on Team North America in the world cup of hockey….those jerseys are something out of a comic book. #villains,” Shawn Manning chimed in.
“Actually very impressed with what Adidas did with all of the World Cup of Hockey jerseys,” Joe Moza said.
Here’s a look at more reaction:
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