The clock is ticking on plans to get hockey back on ice. The NHL and the league’s players are working hard to agree on financial terms and a return-to-play structure.
While we wait, the league generated a ton of buzz this week with the unveiling of 31 new ‘Reverse Retro’ jerseys. They’ll be worn in select games during the 2020-21 season — still tentatively targeting a Jan. 1 start date.
Design Inspiration
Each team generated a new spin on an old classic. The Flyers built off their primary look from the era between 1982 and 2007. Officially, they’re throwing it back to Eric Lindros’ 1995 Hart Trophy win. He followed that up with his career-high 115-point season with the Legion of Doom in 1995-96.
’95 with a modern-day remix. adidas #ReverseRetro coming soon. pic.twitter.com/D54QattYAA
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 13, 2020
Back then, the fearsome Flyers wore white jerseys with orange shoulders and black lower sleeves for their home games. For road games, it was orange jerseys with white shoulders and black lower sleeves.
The Legion Of Doom line for #LetsGoFlyers was unstoppable in 1995-96. They scored 121 goals and 134 assists. They were John LeClair, Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. Looking pretty benign here. @FlyersAlumni pic.twitter.com/jbrx9Amptf
— Random 90’s NHL (@NhlRandom) July 25, 2019
What’s New?
New on the Reverse Retro jersey — the black moving up to the shoulders. That was not done in any of the iterations of the 1982-2007 jersey. A brand new white pinstripe also separates the black from the main orange body, which we saw on the old road jerseys.
Like the legends who wore burnt orange & black before. Introducing the Flyers adidas #ReverseRetro jersey. Hitting the ice in 2021. pic.twitter.com/3qHRD5KKVZ
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 16, 2020
“Philly fans have clamored to bring back the burnt orange color associated with our teams of the ’90s,” said Mark Zarthar, the Flyers senior vice president of marketing. “Those were special years for our franchise. The Reverse Retro jersey celebrates this era of Flyers history while simultaneously looking to a bright future, presenting a fresh look at a classic design.”
This jersey launch marks the first time the NHL has released a full slate of alternates for every team at the same time. The creative objective was to mine each team’s jersey archive and team colors, then remix them to something brand new. The project was two years in the making.
“Hockey fans love retro jerseys,” said Dan Near, senior director at Adidas Hockey. “Reverse Retro is a great opportunity for Adidas to work closely with the NHL and all 31 teams to bring back a design from a meaningful point in team history with a unique twist.
“Our goal from day one has been to work with the NHL and all of the teams to bring creativity, innovation, and energy to the sport with all that we do.”
How It Fits In
Throughout their more than 50-year history, the Flyers have never deviated too far away from their central logo and colour scheme. The Reverse Retro design follows that trend. It skews on the conservative side, along with other classic looks like those of the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.
One of the more radical re-imaginings saw the Anaheim Ducks put their mascot, Wild Wing, at center stage. High marks have been handed out to the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes for mining the history of their franchises. Their designs both incorporate details from eras gone by.
Your Colors. Your Retros. Remixed.
The adidas #ReverseRetro jersey available 12/1. pic.twitter.com/3M2c1u2fjQ
— adidas Hockey (@adidashockey) November 16, 2020
Adidas signed a seven-year partnership agreement with the NHL in 2015. At the beginning of the 2017-18 season, it introduced its revolutionary new Adizero authentic jerseys for on-ice uniforms and licensed apparel.
The Flyers’ Reverse Retro jerseys are now available for pre-sale at http://shop.wfcphilly.com. Beginning Dec. 1, the jerseys will also be available for direct purchase at the New Era Team Store on the 11th Street side of the Wells Fargo Center. Season Ticket Members will have exclusive access to the store from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 1. It will open to the general public from 1-3 p.m.
From Dec. 2 through Dec. 5, the store will be open to the general public from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The post Flyers Throw It Back To 1995 With New Reverse Retro Jersey appeared first on Full Press Hockey.
