A True NHL 3rd Jersey

One of the best part about the new NHL(from a designers perspective) is the inclusion of something called a 3rd Jersey. A 3rd Jersey is basically a limited edition print that teams wear only on special occasions. But, often these jerseys are completely different and unique from a teams original home and away sweaters; it's something unique and fresh for long-times fans to see every year.

This jersey above is the current Toronto Maple Leafs 3rd jersey (or sweater). It's a heritage sweater, depicting the same design that would have been around during the heyday of leafs hockey (when they were winning stanley cups). However, this jersey has Always been the Leafs specialty, or 3rd jersey.
This is the Ottawa Senators 3rd sweater, by comparison it is completely different from both their home and away sweaters. When this jersey originally came out, people in Ottawa were repulsed by it, as were a lot of other critics around the league. But I would say that this jersey is the most original of any that I've seen. Nowhere on it does it have any reference to the original teams sweaters except for in the colours. That's it. When thinking about the Leafs third jersey, I am disappointed that year after year they continue with their heritage sweater (playing against an original 6 team I understand). Why not switch it up, why not use different colours and change the look completely. In comes the Toronto St.Pats.
This jersey is a mock-up created in reference to Toronto's first NHL team. The Toronto St. Patrick's, stanely cup winners in the 1922-21 season. My favourite part about this design is the colour. Green, to me, is a very distinctive colour when applied to a jersey. No other team is currently utilizing it as its main jersey colour (an accent yes - see the Dallas Stars); it's millitary, it's strong, it's Toronto of the past. For me, seeing these jerseys on our Toronto Maple Leafs would be very refreshing change to the ol' blue and white.

Here's hoping,

-Chad.