Designers of special-themed Canucks jerseys disappointed with NHL ban

Designers of several special edition jerseys for the Vancouver Canucks say they're disappointed and frustrated at a decision from the NHL to ban players from wearing special 'cause-based' jerseys during warmups next season. 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in an interview with Sportsnet that themed nights at games were being undermined by the decisions of some players not to wear special jerseys at Pride Nights during the 2022-23 season.

"That's just become more of a distraction from really the essence of what the purpose of these nights are," Bettman said. "We're keeping the focus on the game. And on these specialty nights, we're going to be focused on the cause."

The move affects jerseys designed for all special events or causes. Bettman told Sportsnet that themed nights will continue in the league as normal and said Pride jerseys will still be designed and sold, and players who wish to model them are free to do so.

The Vancouver Canucks released special jerseys for themed nights such as Pride, Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Black History Month, among others, last season. When reached by CBC News, the organization said it couldn't comment further on the issue.

Jay Odjick designed the Vancouver Canucks 2023 First Nations jersey in honour of his cousin Gino Odjick, who was a former Canucks enforcer and who passed away earlier this year at the age of 52. Both cousins hail from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation near Maniwaki, Que.

"Those kinds of things, I think, help it seem possible for kids that [hockey] can be for them — not just us fans as people going to cheer on their favourite team, but to help see themselves someday in their jersey. … Imagine what it's like to be a kid who's never seen himself represented