It’s no secret that the Winnipeg Jets logo is based on that of the Royal Canadian Air Force. We know that Jets owner Mark Chipman requested permission to use a variation of the logo for the Jets logo. The jersey unveiling took place on the tarmac of Wing Winnipeg 17, the local Canadian air base in Winnipeg, where the players descended the ramp from a Hercules aircraft. They wore one jersey in honor of the RCAF as an alternate jersey in 2023-2024 for the RCAF Centennial, so anyone who wants to say that Winnipeg’s NHL team has no military ties is missing all the evidence. But for some reason, that military theme has now spilled over to the other hockey tenant at the Canada Life Centre.The AHL’s Manitoba Moose play on the same rink as the Jets, and the Moose have some decent jerseys made better by the addition of the baby blue moose sweater with the throwback logo. Honestly, I think this alternate shirt should be used more often, and I’ve always been a fan of that retro, cartoony logo. I still have several IHL Manitoba Moose jerseys with that logo on them.
On Wednesday, November 26, the Jets won’t be in town to celebrate some history as they will be in Washington, DC to play the Capitals, but the Manitoba Moose will be at the Canada Life Center to host the Belleville Senators. On that night, the Moose will wear the logo and shirt below, although the date has no meaning.
I’ll break down the jerseys a little further below, but I’m confused as to why the Manitoba Moose wear these special jerseys to commemorate the 100th anniversary of CFB Winnipeg when does the date turn out to be meaningless for CFB Winnipeg?According to RCAF infothe Canadian Army established an aviation wing in Winnipeg with “formation of No. 1 Canadian Wing Royal Air Force in 1918”. That Canadian Wing Royal Air Force base survived in name until 1968, when the RCAF “adopted a new organization structured on the Base Concept”. As you can see, 1925 has not been part of CFB Winnipeg history other than its existence that year, but April 1, 1924 did mark the official founding of the Canadian Air Force, which the Jets celebrated with the RCAF Centennial jersey.
Weird history aside, this Moose jersey actually looks really good. The light gray, thick stripe across the chest, back and sleeves provides a good contrast to both the white jersey and the darker numbers and intricate logo, and the light blue, thin stripes that accentuate the thick gray stripe add a pop of color to tie the jersey’s features together. The light blue collar breaks up the white on the chest, and the only improvement I would have made would have been a light gray yoke with the light blue stripe and a white gap between the two contrasting colors.
The back of the jersey is also easy to read, and my only complaint is the CCM logo and blue underlines. They should have been a light gray color to blend in with the jersey, rather than drawing your eyes up from the name and number. I understand that CCM made these jerseys, but that shouldn’t be the focus when you look at the back.
I’ll give credit where credit is due by saying the Moose has designed a solid jersey. Once again, I’m puzzled at how they did the math to honor CFB Winnipeg’s 100th anniversary, but the jersey they’ll celebrate that anniversary in should look good on the ice next Wednesday when they face the Belleville Senators. Maybe they’ll explain how they arrived at the 100th anniversary that night?
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
#celebrated