Black. Red. Yellow.
Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks take on the Los Angeles Kings in their final home game of the season at Rogers Arena. They’ll also be wearing their classic black “flying skate” jersey for the third time this season. Since reintroducing the “skate” back into the jersey rotation in 2019, the Canucks are undefeated in regulation when wearing their 90s throwbacks, boasting a 5-0-1 record in the sweaters. They also garner massive love on social media every time the Canucks skate onto the ice in them, so the question has to be asked. Should the Canucks bring the Flying Skate back full time?
Home Away pic.twitter.com/SEVk4DAVvG
— Tommy (@tommykippes2) April 29, 2022
The iteration of the “Flying Skate” that the current alternate jerseys are based on is literally from the most fabled team in the history of the franchise; the 1994 Vancouver Canucks. Even for fans that weren’t around to experience it live, the ’94 Canucks bring up all kinds of nostalgia for nearly every member of the fanbase. Visions of Pavel Bure’s blistering speed, Kirk McLean’s fantastic goaltending, and Trevor Linden embodying what it truly meant to be a Canuck all spring to mind.
Monetarily, they sell better than any other jersey at the Canucks Team Store, consistently selling out stock. The people love the Skate, and apparently, so does the team.
“If they want to [wear them again] and we keep getting results like that, I’ll wear them to bed,” head coach Bruce Boudreau joked with the media after Vancouver decimated Calgary 7-1 back in February. JT Miller also had positive things to say about the jerseys following the win over the Flames.
“I was talking to Garly(Conor Garland) before the game, yeah, we love ’em! When I was young watching hockey, it’s very old school and I like that. I would love to wear these at home every single time! These are probably the best jerseys.”
The Canucks welcome the Kings to Rogers Arena tonight for the final home game of the regular season. Puck drop is slated for 7:00.
(Photo: Bob Frid/USA TODAY Sport)