Why are the home jerseys the dark colors?

Question

white should be for home games.

Answer 1

They used to wear the white jerseys at home, at least during the years 1971-2003. They reversed it mostly to accommodate teams wanting to wear "third jerseys" at home. As you've probably noticed, those third jerseys tend to always be dark colors, which means they'd need the opponents to wear white.

I agree with you, though. I think the home team should always wear white jerseys. White is the color of the "good guys," and dark jerseys at home just look weird to me.

Answer 2

Up to 1967 home jerseys were the dark colors, by the way.

I think what happened is teams got tired of dragging around both darks and third jerseys (most are in darker non-white colors) on the road. That's why the NHL switched back to the Original Six idea of dark jerseys at home.

I couldn't agree more though. I prefer the whites at home so I can see all the road teams colors live. I mean, nothing beats seeing the Blackhawks show up in those awesome red jerseys here in Vancouver back in the day.

Answer 3

Actually, it was for practical reasons, not for any ulterior motives. When they introduced the third jersey, most teams used dark colors in theirs, so teams would have to wear their white jerseys on the road. For a while that meant that teams carried two full sets of jerseys on every road trip, but after 9/11 and airport security tightening that became more difficult. so they just decided to use white on the road so that teams would only have to carry one set of jerseys and teams could still use their third jerseys.

to promote the new uniforms, there will not be a third jersey this year or next, so the last I heard is that white is back as the home color this year.

Answer 4

I grew up with white being the home jerseys, but in the past dark was used at home.

It makes sense in a marketing perspective in regards to alternate jerseys (which are dark) and wearing them at home. Who's going to be spending the most money on 3rd jerseys? The hometown fans obviously...

Answer 5

It's all part of Gary Bettman's plan (ridiculous as it may seem) to get more fan support and attention in the US - and screw the real hockey fans who actually pay for the NHL's existence up in Canada and northern US. Why he doesn't ship the Predators to a huge market like Seattle that's close to Canada is beyond me. Can you imagine the Seattle-Vancouver rivalry? it would be great for the league and the sport. Instead, Bettman wants us to gripe about how our home teams look like road teams which is just a symptom of a bigger problem - that the NHL is rapidly becoming unrecognizable to the average hockey fan. And I've only been a fan since the early 90s.

Answer 6

i think dark color for the most part are intimidating so home team wear it. Most teams' alternates are dark jersey as well with few exception. Toronto Leafs carries white as alternate jersey (see pic) You are going to see 3rd jersey not being use this coming season because Bettman.

Answer 7

They are switching back next season, white home, colored road except for special occasions including Al Arbour night

Answer 8

It used to be the white jersey's for home games, but since Betman got his way he changed it around. Jerk.

Answer 9

i like the dark jerseys

course its cuz im a ranger fan, and i like their blue jersey better

in the end it doesnt matter, but i do like blue more for the rangers

Answer 10

its fine that the season games are like that...there have been times in the past where this has been going on...

but in the playoffs??? thats messing with NHL Arsenal