Hockey Canada revealed a glimpse of the jerseys the Olympic teams will wear in Milan, sparking early criticism from fans. The full unveiling of Team Canada's jerseys occurred Thursday, over a month before the final roster submission.
The preview highlighted a dominant use of black, which many fans objected to. Comments on X criticized the inclusion of black in the color scheme, which is traditionally not part of the Canadian flag's palette.
“I’ve never seen Black on a Canadian Flag,” tweeted @CalderSnub22.
“I’ll never understand the obsession of adding black to our color scheme,” said @kjc_2599.
Though details remain unclear, the jerseys appear to feature thick black stripes on the sleeves and possibly a black maple leaf, reminiscent of the 2022 Beijing Olympic uniforms. That team, lacking NHL stars, was defeated in the quarterfinals by Sweden, prompting fans to desire a fresh look.
“So basically the same as the previous Olympic jerseys? Logos and strips look the same. Disappointing,” expressed @curmudgeonaf.
If confirmed, the Olympic jerseys will contrast with the red and white uniforms worn by Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where they won the tournament.
“It's a shame because the 4 Nations jersey was elite,” noted @DrCrackOfficial.
Official confirmation came with the unveiling on Thursday, marking a departure from recent designs but continuing the debate among fans.
Summary: Fan backlash to Hockey Canada's new Olympic jerseys centers on the unexpected dominance of black in the design, contrasting with traditional colors and recent successful uniforms.