Jock Itch Something borrowed, something blue: the new Avs jersey

I’m no fashion guru, but when the Colorado Avalanche broke out its new third jersey last Saturday (an 8-2 loss to Vancouver), it was the only pretty thing out on the ice that night. Third jerseys are very popular in hockey, and most teams change them up every few years—even if the results are horrible (ahem, Montreal Canadiens). The Avs debuted their first alternate jersey during the 2001-2002 season and have now rolled out another one just in time for Christmas. Fashionable? Not in the traditional sense, but if the Avs couldn’t get a point in the standings the other night, at least they scored one in the style department.

It's definitely a marketing gimmick to get people to buy yet another jersey—one that helps to take the heat off a team’s losing streak and/or to wear inappropriately to a funeral or bris—but if you’re a fan, it shouldn’t matter. Do these alternate jerseys add to the lore of the team, or is it just a way for Avs owner Stan Kroenke to make a little bread because he’s having a hard time putting butt to seat at the Pepsi Center? Probably a little of both.

When early sketches surfaced, it seemed like a Frankenstein’s monster of the original third jersey cobbled together with a presumed nod to the old Nordique’s blue color scheme. The old-school lace-up neck and diagonal “Colorado” running across the front have been used before, and though the jersey basically looks like a retread of the old third jersey, the big wash of blue is new. The only thing I would have changed is the shoulders: Why not go all blue? It looks like they ran out of blue fabric and repurposed parts of the old burgundy alternate in a pinch. The team plans to wear this alternate jersey for 11 more home games this season, and there’s promise for it to stick around for at least another couple of years. 

While we’re at it, our other local sports franchises could use some beefing up in their own franchises: The Nuggets need to make a rainbow connection and bring back their legendary ’80s uniforms in as a third jersey. The team’s actual third jersey is dark blue with a bland script reading “Nuggets” across the front. If the team were smart, it would bring back the rainbow-themed, Tetris-inspired Denver skyline now. And the Broncos' recent throwback uniforms were a hit, in spite of the nauseating socks, but the team’s orange jersey is really considered its third. Sure, the Broncos were embarrassed in them two weeks ago in front of the nation on Monday Night Football, but the orange jersey should be trotted out on a more regular basis.

Come to think of it, if the Avs and Broncos both keep losing in their third jerseys, I have an idea for both teams: Wear all white and just surrender already.