LINK: Portland, Ore. / New York – adidas and the National Hockey League (NHL) today unveiled the new, eco-innovative and ocean-inspired adizero Authentic jerseys for the 2019 Honda NHL® All-Star Game – the first-ever NHL hockey jerseys featuring repurposed and upcycled materials created in partnership with Parley for the Oceans.
The new special edition adizero Authentic Pro x Parley jerseys will be worn by the NHL’s best players exclusively for the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills™ on Friday, Jan. 25 (6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET, NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVAS) and for the 2019 Honda NHL® All-Star Game on Saturday, Jan. 26 (5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS) at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., home of the San Jose Sharks.
Created with Parley Ocean Plastic™, a range of materials made from upcycled marine plastic debris, each jersey is crafted to be a symbol of change in the movement to protect the oceans. By spinning a threat into thread, the adidas x Parley partnership gives new purpose to plastic bottles (polyester) and other plastic waste intercepted in marine environments. As a part of their partnership and joint commitments to ending marine plastic pollution through the Parley AIR Strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign), adidas and Parley rework these various marine plastic waste materials into technical fibers that create the material framework of a durable, yet breathable fabric that is optimal for adidas performance apparel.
I wrote a blog about all star jerseys yesterday and essentially said we need to stop trying so hard to be innovative and creative. Much like the USA hockey jerseys, if it isn’t broken don’t try and fix it. I get what the NHL is trying to do in terms of PR. They are taking trash from the ocean, the ocean is by San Jose, and making new hipster type jerseys to try and satisfy the millennial demographic. It’s either that or they thought because everyone loved the North American jerseys so they ran with that option? I don’t know.
I know it’s already set in stone but I’d love to see the NHL go back to the classic uniforms of the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s with the orange, black, and white.
At the end of the day some people will be happy some people will be sad. Some will say the old farts who don’t like the jerseys don’t want to have fun and some will say the younger generation who will worship them are ruining the world. I just think it’s ironic that these jerseys are made of garbage. I think you know what side I’m on.