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Title - Chris Savard
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What’s the deal with the numbers on the front of NHL Helmets?
Chris Savard
OurHometown.ca

What’s the deal with the numbers on the front of NHL Helmets?
we are now almost three weeks into the NHL Season and I still do not like the look of the number on the front part of the helmet for every NHL player. Here Andrei Kostitsyn of the Montreal Canadiens and Jake Gardiner of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be seen sporting the new look helmets.
PHOTO CREDIT - MapleLeafs.com

Cornwall - Oct. 28, 2011 - Call me old fashioned. Tell me I am set in my ways and that I resist change. I am okay with all that, however we are now almost three weeks into the NHL Season and I still do not like the look of the number on the front part of the helmet for every NHL player.

NHL Senior Manager of Communication Schuyler Baehman recentlyexplained the new, required look for all 30 teams: “Player numbers will be added to the front forehead (centered) location of all player helmets at the start of this season. Front numbers are not required to be placed on goaltenders headgear. Numbers on the front and back of helmets will measure no less than 1.25” and no more than 2” in height.”

Apparently the motivation for the change was made at the request of the League’s broadcasters, as it makes it easier for them to identify the players, particularly when they are sitting on the bench.

Once again, I agree with Leafs GM Brian Burke when he told the Toronto Star, “I am not crazy about the numbers on the helmets, but they help the broadcast guys. I don’t mind the numbers on some sweaters. But not on Big Blue.”

I don’t like the look of the numbers on the Pittsburgh Steeler helmets either. Maybe it will grow on me, but so far I am not a fan. What do you think? You can vote below.

Jerseys

While I am on my soap box, let me whine a little about some things that bother me about NHL jerseys. I have been a jersey collector for the last couple decades and pay close attention to jersey changes.

Some thoughts:

  • I don’t understand why the NHL decided to have the home team predominately wear their dark uniforms at home. When I was a kid, the home team always wore white. Now if you are a Leafs fan or season ticket holder at the ACC, one team always wears blue and the other wears white. Years ago the Leafs would be in white and the visitors could be in black, blue, red, orange or a number of other colours. Does anyone know why the NHL made this change?

  • I am not a fan of having the numbers on the front of the jerseys either. The Dallas Stars, Buffalo Sabres and others have added small numbers to the front of their jerseys in recent years. They look like volleyball or baseball jerseys – not hockey.

  • I think Brian Burke and the Leafs did a good job with the new Leafs jerseys last season. I love the lace-up neck and am pleased the brought back the “veiny” Leaf on the shoulder and the stripe on the bottom. The only thing I wish they would have done was to keep the outlined number. (blue number, white trim and then blue trim)


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