Ok, I’ve come to like the new uniforms that the players will be wearing next season, as long as the designs that are applied to them are not gaudy. Trust me, I’m going to hold my breath until then. Just got a bad feeling that some teams (I’m looking at you Nashville!) will go a tad overboard.
This, however, is something I didn’t notice at the All-Star Game last night.
While most of the uniform-based attention at the NHL All-Star Game was focused on the players’ new Reebok-designed attire, another uniform story went largely unheralded and unnoticed.
Referees were wearing silver armbands, instead of their usual orange, and ESPN.com has learned that this change will be made permanent next season.
“It’s coming for next season,” NHL spokesperson Nirva Milord said in an e-mail from the All-Star Game in Dallas. “We’re just giving it a consistent look with the new NHL logo.”
That logo, introduced prior to the 2005-06 season, is black and silver, while the league’s previous emblem was black and orange, matching the refs’ current armbands. [espn]
No!!! This is a change that I do not care for, and it completely kills an idea that Rebecca and I had for Halloween costumes.
I like the orange bands, if not for look, but for function. When the ref raises his arm to call a penalty, it’s more noticeable to catch the movement. The little, orange floaties are the first thing I think of when it comes to a hockey ref. At the same time, the effects won’t be nearly as good when McGeough comes flying in to call a no-goal and appear to be ready to fly away because he’s flapping his arms like a mad man.
As a side note, check out this post to see how GZ Expat would change the NHL even further. If you saw the interview with Gary Bettman[wiki] on the CBC’s coverage of the All-Star Game last night, then, like me, you will feel like absolutely nothing is safe in the NHL anymore. He now embodies everything I can think of when it comes to slimy businessmen.
Slimy? I resemble that remark! Heh.
I’m just throwing stuff against the wall here. I don’t think the NHL went far enough to radicalize the game, while keeping the essense of it in tact.
Now, for the ref’s armbands…have you seen what the refs have to wear in the Swedish league? They have adverts for an ice cream on their chest with a smiling yellow eskimo cartoon. How on earth can you expect to be taken seriously with that on your front??