Iqaluit’s amateur hockey association has joined leagues from across Canada to create The Great Canadian Jersey.
Or five of them, to be exact.
The designs, which include the Iqaluit Blizzard logo, are part of the National Hockey League and Rogers’ This is Our Game campaign and meant to be “a symbol of national unity,” said hockey broadcaster Rogers Jan. 23 in a news release.
“Jerseys were donated and sourced from across Canada — it was important that every province and territory was represented,” said Claudia Frutti, a spokesperson for Rogers, in an email.
Donations came in from children’s and youth hockey leagues, minor pro leagues, adult recreational and oldtimers hockey teams, and all seven Canadian NHL teams.
Patches cut from the sweater of the Iqaluit Blizzard — the name used by boys and girls hockey teams in the city — will be included in all five jerseys.
“I think it’s a wonderful initiative and it’s great to see Nunavut being included,” said Nunavut Premier John Main on Friday.
“Hockey’s important to us, whether it’s the oldtimers or the youngest children on the ice. [It’s] Canada’s game and Nunavut’s game too.”
Designer Cameron Lizotte took the submissions and made five different jerseys using a collage design.
The Blizzard patch will appear at different location on each of the campaign’s five jerseys. One, shown in promotional material featuring Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, appears on the back of the right side of the collar.
Other players wearing the jerseys in the campaign include Josh Morrisey of the Winnipeg Jets, Macklin Celebrini from the San Jose Sharks, Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers, and Marie-Philip Poulin of the Montreal Victoire in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
They are expected to don the jerseys in the coming weeks as part of a national advertising campaign.
— With files from Daron Letts
