Are the San Jose Sharks Saving the NHL's Sweaters?
By pucksandbooks -
December 22, 2006
We in the East were a bit distracted Wednesday by news coming out of Pittsburgh, but San Jose Mercury News reporter John Ryan that day published a bombshell: the more NHL players jump into prototypes of Gary Bettman's new uniforms, the more they want to jump right back out of them and into tradition.
Ryan observes: "The double-knit polyester is being replaced by a moisture-wicking fabric, hardly an uncommon switch in the athletic world. They're also making everything tighter . . . The reasons are twofold: performance and protection."
But then check out what San Jose Sharks' forward Jonathon Cheechoo had to say about them:"These are to add protection?" Jonathan Cheechoo said."Yeah. Apparently the tighter fit holds pads into place better," Ryan adds.
"It does do that," Cheechoo said. "I'll give it that. But it also gives opponents a bird's-eye view of where your equipment stops."
[Cheechoo's] point: For players who are injured, opponents will essentially see an MRI of the body and know exactly which spot is most vulnerable. The sweaters hide a lot of that, particularly in the playoffs."Note to Gary Bettman: Oopsie!
And it wasn't just Cheechoo ripping the new threads to shreds. Kyle McLaren wanted no part of them, either, according to Ryan.
You really gotta check out the full text of what may prove to be a pivotal turning point in this uniform madness. A couple of weeks ago we suggested here that momentum was slowing lurching the way of the sensible and traditional. On this front, Ryan notes:I can tell you the league is very, VERY nervous about the reaction."Reminder: if you haven't already, add your voice to the outrage; send Gary Bettman a little ornery Season's Greeting, and sign the online petiton to preserve our sacred hockey sweaters. More than 4,000 have!
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