The Calgary Flames are turning back time with a new jersey inspired by the 1980s ones.
The team announced Monday that it is returning to the classic look, which was worn from its inaugural season to the mid-90s — for the “next season and beyond.”
The branding will also revert to the original colour scheme — red, yellow and white — and ditching the accented black portion that has been present since the mid-90s.
“Since reintroducing the retro look in alternate jerseys back in 2009, we’ve heard the feedback from a large portion of our fan base. They love the original look and really wanted us to return to it,” said Flames director of marketing Ryan Popowich in a press release.
“It took a while to get all the pieces in place to make it happen. Adding the retro-inspired Heritage Classic white jersey last season was the final piece of the puzzle and the time has finally arrived where we can deliver to the fans what they’ve always wanted: for us to go full retro.”
The team explained that the current alternate jersey, which featured the 80s look, will now be the red home jersey, and the recent Heritage Classic jersey will be the away jersey. The Flames’ return to retro is a “final nod to the current 40th season celebrations” that started in the 2019-20 season.
‘A legacy and tradition’
Flames captain Mark Giordano loves the new jerseys, saying they conjure up images of when the Flames won the Stanley Cup in 1989.
“There is a certain amount of pride for the current players knowing that we carry on a legacy and tradition,” he said.
“They look great and feel even better on. I think they are the coolest jerseys in the league.”
The current red home jersey, featuring the black-crested flaming C, will now be the Flames’ alternate jersey for the upcoming campaign.
Calgary Flames alum Jamie Macoun has fond memories of playing in the club’s classic 1980s jersey.
“For me, those are the ones I think most signify who the Flames are all about,” Macoun said.
“I understand why they did other jerseys — you switch a jersey every three or four years, and people buy new ones and you generate a bunch of money and a bunch of interest — but I think most teams like going back to the original ones.”
– With files from Cami Kepke
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