BCHL, Coastal Conference, editorial, Interior Conference

BCHL 2020-21 jersey watch

Written by Eric Clarke on

 

I got this idea from a website the watches for jersey leaks and rumors on the NHL called Icethetics.com. With BC Hockey League teams, I’ll look at some of the jersey changes coming this season that you might not have noticed. I did do an article earlier this year about each team’s current jerseys and what the teams could do to changes to make their jerseys better.

After seeing some changes, I feel like some of the BCHL team executives may have read my article and took the ideas to heart. Here is what to expect at the BCHL rinks once the season gets up and running.

The one disclaimer I have is that often teams don’t use their regular season jersey designs during the pre-season, so there is always a chance a team comes out with something completely different when the puck drops on 2020-21.

Alberni Valley Bulldogs

It looks like no new changes for the Bulldogs this season. It appears they are sticking with their Ottawa Senators-inspired jerseys that they’ve had for the past three seasons.

Coquitlam Express

Doesn’t look like any new changes from last season. We might see more use of the retro-inspired third jersey they released last season though.

Cowichan Valley Capitals

The Capitals have come out with a new road jersey this year. It is red with white and blue striping on the forearm and bottom of the jersey.

It is a very aesthetically pleasing jersey and a far cry from the jerseys of the past few seasons. This is a very good change.

Chilliwack Chiefs

The Chiefs are sticking with the same primary jerseys they’ve had since 2018. They did come out with a new sponsor jersey though. It is black with two crimson strips along the arms.

Photo credit: Conné Lategan / Cranbrook Bucks

Cranbrook Bucks

As the new kids on the block, the Bucks introduced their first-ever jerseys since joining the BCHL this season. The only change I would make is to have the arm stripes and waist stripes symmetrical. It’s a bit odd having three on the arms but only one on the waist.

I would have liked to see a bit more grey featured on the pants and gloves.

Langley Rivermen

No new changes to the Rivermen jerseys this year. I hope we get to see a new primary set for them soon.

New Nanaimo Clippers’ (BCHL) Home Jersey for the 2020/2021 Season. from hockeyjerseys

Nanaimo Clippers

The Clippers have had some great jerseys over the years but this new jersey should have stayed on the drawing board. Their new home jersey is something out of the RBK Edge NHL jerseys.

It’s white with black and orange stripes going down the front and widening as it goes down. The arms have a black band where the number sits that doesn’t go all the way around.

They could have brought back their jerseys from the early 2000s or another retro-inspired jersey like they have before, but this is one of the worst jerseys Nanaimo has ever had.

Merritt Centennials

Last season, the Cents introduced a third jersey with a new bull logo. This year they took that logo, put it on a new jersey, and use it as their primary road jersey. I like that they transitioned away from the retro-inspired ‘turntable’ logo to something that reflects the Merritt community and its ranching heritage.

Powell River Kings

No changes for the Kings this year. They are sticking with the jerseys they’ve had for a very long time. They did tease a retro reverse jersey, so maybe we might see it in the future.

Prince George Spruce Kings

There appear to be no changes for the Spruce Kings this season. I suspect they will introduce a new third next season after the pandemic.

Penticton Vees

They have added a new historic third jersey to go along with their long series of historic thirds in Vees history. Penticton is slated to host the Centennial Cup this season so there’s a possibility of another third for the tournament.

My hope is a jersey based on the 1985-86 Knights, which was the first Penticton team to win the Centennial Cup.

Surrey Eagles

The Eagles have released a new secondary logo and it is based on a logo they used for a third jersey in 2005. This one, however, doesn’t feature any green.

They do also have a full colour version with green letters, the eagle’s beak is yellow and there are some grey accents in the feathers.

Salmon Arm Silverbacks

The Backs look like they have again retired purple from their jerseys. If not, they haven’t worn them so far this fall.

Salmon Arm has gone with the grey home primary jersey they introduced two seasons ago. It’s a fantastic choice compared to going with the traditional white home jersey.

Trail Smoke Eaters

No apparent changes for the Smokies this year, they’re keeping their same jerseys from last season.

Vernon Vipers

It appears there are no changes for the Vipers this season. I would like to see them go back to just their logo instead of the circle around it. The circle makes the snake look small and not noticeable.

Victoria Grizzlies

The Grizz went with a more traditional look with their new road jersey. It’s black with a thick yellow stripe on the arms and waist. Victoria also changed the white in the circle around the logo to yellow as well.

West Kelowna Warriors

It’s hard to tell if the Warriors made any changes as they have up to five different jerseys from what I’ve seen during the Okanagan Cup. They kept their black road jerseys with the cream coloured middle stripe and the white home jerseys with red shoulders and the spartan shoulder patch.

However, these jerseys could just be for the preseason and they could end up going with the cream coloured jersey with a red middle stripe that matches their black jerseys.

Wenatchee Wild

Wenatchee looks like it took my criticism of their jerseys last season to heart as they are the only team to change both primary jerseys for this season. The Wild went with an early-90s era Hartford Whalers-inspired striping by adding grey to its colour scheme.

Final thoughts

Wenatchee and Merritt win the day by going with a change for the better. I would like to see Penticton honour the Broncos, Knights, or Panthers with a historic jersey. Maybe even a Paul Kariya-era Panthers jersey.

Langley is due for some new jerseys. The Rivermen have had a third jersey, but most franchises by the decade mark make some sort of change to their primary home and road jerseys.