Darrell Davis: Just Jets . . . no red

Last year the Edmonton Oilers went all-orange and there was a great outcry from fans upset they dumped their blue-based jerseys. This year the Winnipeg Jets are among a handful of NHL teams producing an alternate jersey and judging by the response on social media, their fans hate the new rendition.

It’s primarily blue and white, with a darker trim, and the team’s nickname is scripted across the front. The biggest complaint seems to be the lack of red, one of Winnipeg’s primary colours on its regular jerseys, and the absence of a team logo. Many fans wondered why the team didn’t simply choose a throwback jersey to honour the first version of the Jets, a WHA-turned-NHL franchise that existed from 1971-96.

Isn’t the idea of an extra jersey to create something unique, something memorable? Well, the real reason is to provide new merchandise for the fans to purchase. Eventually, those old Bobby Hull and Dale Hawerchuk throw-back jerseys wear out, so fans might want a replacement.

The design of the alternate jersey was leaked to the media a day before the official announcement. As arguments rage over its blandness, or beauty, the alternate jersey is already available online from the Jets, for $149 Canadian.