The History of Vancouver Canuck Uniforms

The Vancouver Canucks are a professional hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The club derives its nickname from a slang word meaning "Canadians." The club has worn seven "sweater" or uniform designs since joining the National Hockey League in 1970.

  1. 1970-1978

    • The Canucks' first uniform design was based on a white, green and blue color scheme to connote the white snow, green trees and blue water that make up the environs of Vancouver. It featured a rectangular, rink-shaped crest at the center with a horizontal silhouette of a hockey stick at its midpoint. The purpose of the design was twofold. The stick and rink shape reiterated the hockey focus of the design, but also formed a "C" shape--presumably for "Canucks." The sleeve design also included a "V" design down each wrist.

    1979-1985

    • The club's next uniform design included the colors gold, red and black. The 1979 design featured a "V" shaped collar (to represent Vancouver) that stretched to the midpoint of the jersey. Unlike the traditional hockey uniform design, no logo was present at the center.

    1985-1989

    • The Canucks 1985 redesign marked a return to its roots, although the team's trademark gaudy gold-based color scheme would continue. The "skate logo" that debuted on the uniform sleeve in 1979 was now the centerpiece while the "V" design scheme moved to the shoulder.

    1989-1997

    • It was not until 1989 that the club adopted a uniform scheme that could be described as conventional. Gone was the intricate "V" color designs and flashy gold jersey. An even larger version of the "skate logo" was now featured prominently at the center of the jersey.

    1997-2007

    • In 1997, the club underwent another major shift in its regalia. The club abandoned the gold, red and black color scheme it had worn since 1979 for a red, white and navy blue combination. The franchise also adopted a new logo. The new design feature a cartoon orca emerging from frozen water, forming a "C" shape.

    2007- Present

    • 2007 represented a return home for the Vancouver Canucks in terms of uniform design. The club readopted the white, green and blue color scheme of its inaugural season, while making some minor adjustments to the orca logo it had worn the ten seasons previous and adding the word "Vancouver" above it. The 2007 season also marked the return of the Canucks first logo: the rink and hockey stick that formed a "C." The logo is featured on the uniforms sleeve.