Leafs will be in colours of Canadian navy flag
Outdoor game in Annapolis has theme of honouring navies of both countries
TORONTO — Don’t adjust your TV screens on Saturday when the Maple Leafs take on the Washington Capitals in an outdoor game in Annapolis, Md.
The Blue and White will be more like the White and White, with more white, and even more white, and just a hint of blue: White sweaters, white helmets, white pants, white socks, white gloves. Blue trim.
“It’s different looking down your stick, looking at white gloves,” Leafs defenceman Connor Carrick said in an interview. “The white pants. It is interesting. I think it will look cool as a team with the uniforms all whited-out. It is certainly something I’ve never seen.”
Before the Leafs journeyed off on their road trip that started with a pair of overtime losses to Tampa and Florida, they started working out with their whites, just to get used to the look.
“It’s definitely unique, and it will be fun to be outdoors,” forward Zach Hyman said before the trip.
“We look like Stormtroopers.”
If there is a military feel to the jersey it is on purpose. The Maple Leafs say they are honouring the flag of the Royal Canadian Navy — a white background with blue trim. It’s a fitting tribute for a franchise whose ties to the military go right to owner Conn Smythe, a major in the army who served in both World Wars and renamed the St. Patricks for the Maple Leaf on the uniform of Canadian soldiers served in.
And the game will be played at the U.S. Naval Academy.
“The stadium series is paying tribute to the Armed Forces,” says Jerry Ferguson, head of brand marketing at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. “We want to celebrate the Navy and pay tribute to our relationship with the Armed Forces. It’s a really unique look for the club because this is a really unique game.”
Between home and away jerseys, third jerseys and throwbacks, the Leafs have worn around 40 different sweaters throughout the club’s history. Some have been major changes, like logo changes. Some differences have been minimal, like a change in stripes. This will be the first time the Leafs wear white on white.
The Leafs have had a great deal of success with uniforms for special occasions. The jerseys for the Centennial Classic, and games commemorating the St. Patricks and Arenas were big sellers and still spotted around town and at the Air Canada Centre. The Leafs say this one will be just as big, calling it their top seller since it was released Feb. 10.
“When we look at people commenting on our social channels, it’s been overwhelmingly positive,” says Ferguson.
The league has tested the jersey to make sure the Leafs will be visible on TV, against a backdrop of white ice.
Leafs centre Tyler Bozak joked it had better not snow, because then the players couldn’t see each other. He won’t have to worry about snow, with temperatures expected to hit a high of 9 C.
Rain, however, could be an issue. Bad weather — a high-wind warning in place till Friday night — has already forced the teams to skip their practices on Friday at the outdoor venue, moving to a rink near the naval base.
No contingency plan has been announced if weather affects this game.
This will be the third NHL regular season outdoor game for both teams. The Leafs won their previous two, a 3-2 shootout win over the Red Wings at Michigan Stadium at the 2014 Winter Classic, and a 5-4 overtime win at the 2017 Centennial Classic at BMO Field.
The Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1, in the 2011 Winter Classic, and beat Chicago 3-2 at Nationals Park in the ’14 Winter Classic.
It’s not like the Leafs and Washington Capitals are historic rivals.
They’ve played each other 143 times in the regular season, with Washington earning 160 points (72-55-16) and Toronto earning 136 (61-68-14).
But last season’s playoffs — Washington beat the Leafs in six games in the first round — stands perhaps as a marker of a new beginning.
“The good teams know who the other good teams are,” said Carrick, an ex-Capital. “We like to think we’re in that category. Washington has been there for a long time. They’ve had really strong teams year in year out. If you want to be a heavyweight, these are the guys you have to knock out. You have to go through them time and time again until you really prove that you may be rising above.
“Until then, those guys are going to cling to their reputation as a really strong group. They’ve done it.”