Canucks Unveil New/Old Sweater!

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Canucks unveil throwback sweaterThe Vancouver Canucks unveiled their new throwback jersey Wednesday night at the Summer Summit event for season ticket holders. The sweater is part of the team's 40th anniversary celebration and will be worn five times throughout the 2010-11 season.

Former Canuck Orland Kurtenbach was on hand at the event to model the new sweater in front of fans. It's a replica of the original sweater worn by the Canucks during their inaugural season in 1970.

It had been widely rumored that the Canucks would have a specialty sweater to celebrate the 40-year milestone. We finally got confirmation tonight. Plus, it was also announced that on Dec. 11, the team will retire Markus Naslund's No. 19 sweater.

Sedin sports retro lookThe Canucks also used the event to officially unveil their 40th anniversary logo, which now appears in the banner of the team's website. An anniversary patch will be worn on all jerseys throughout the season.

A few things to note about the new jersey, as modeled by league MVP Henrik Sedin (right):

  • Original version of stick-in-rink logo is taller than it would later be
  • The captain and alternate captain's letters are unusually large
  • Check out the white V inside the sleeve stripes
  • The original 1970 sweaters had no nameplates and nor do those used in this photo shoot but surnames are now required as part of NHL uniform regulations

The new sweater will make its on-ice debut on October 9 when the Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings exactly 40 years to the day from that inaugural game in 1970. Though they have yet to officially confirm it, reports say the Kings will also be donning retro threads for that game.

The Canucks currently have a blue alternate sweater with the updated stick-in-rink logo. I think this retro look makes for a nice balance. There has been no word on whether the current home and road jerseys will be replaced in the future, though rumors suggest it could happen as early as fall 2011.

You can learn more about the Canucks' 40th anniversary plans by clicking here. And that's all you really need to know. I'll leave you with this shot of Kurtenbach and Sedin. Now tell us what you think of this classic sweater.