Five major junior hockey teams across Canada became the latest to roll out the winning designs from the Canadian Hockey League’s annual Jersey Design Contest.
Now in its fourth year, the contest was open to kids under 16 and accepted entries until the end of October. The contest is sponsored by Real Canadian Superstore, and game-worn, kid-designed jerseys will be auctioned off to support President’s Choice Children’s Charity.
A total of 31 teams across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League are participating in this year’s contest. The WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and Kamloops Blazers were the first to debut their jerseys in early January.
Here are the latest contest-winning designs to hit the ice:
CHARLOTTETOWN ISLANDERS (QMJHL)
The Islanders donned their jerseys on Sunday, January 26, when they hosted the Rimouski Oceanic. The design on the sleeves represents the Confederation Bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island to mainland New Brunswick.
CALGARY HITMEN (WHL)
The Hitmen broke out their new duds on Sunday, January 26, against the Red Deer Rebels. They feature jagged black striping outlined in copper and red around the waist and down the sleeves, as well as black shoulders with the same outlines. The Hitmen’s 30th anniversary appears on the chest.
LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES (WHL)
The Hurricanes’ kid-designed jerseys — which they wore on Saturday, February 1 against the Edmonton Oil Kings — eschew their usual navy blue for black on the shoulders and in the stripes around the waist. The striping on the sleeves represents the High Level Bridge in Lethbridge, which was built in 1909 and is still the longest and highest trestle bridge in the world.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS (WHL)
The Cougars’ jerseys made their debut on Saturday, February 1, versus the Tri-City Americans. The black jersey has red shoulders and hand-drawn grey mountains around the waist. It also features red claw marks on the sides and sleeves.
VICTORIA ROYALS (WHL)
Of the latest batch of winning designs, the Royals’ jerseys are the ones that scream “KID!” the loudest. The white base is covered in green, blue, pink and yellow crayon squiggles. The collar is solid green, while the names and numbers on the back and sleeves are set in a blue crayon font with red outlines.
Five more teams are set to roll out their winning designs this weekend:
- Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) — Friday, February 7 vs. Saskatoon
- Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) — Friday, February 7 vs. Swift Current
- Red Deer Rebels (WHL) — Friday, February 7 vs. Moose Jaw
- Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) — Saturday, February 8 vs. Baie-Comeau
- Saskatoon Blades (WHL) — Saturday, February 8 vs. Regina