Canes Are Back in Black For 2008-09
By David Droschak (posted Sept. 10, 2008)

There’s nothing like a loud version of AC/DC’s “Back In Black” blaring from the hi-tech speakers at the RBC Center to get the hockey juices flowing less than two weeks from the start of NHL training camp.

What was the occasion?

Well, the Carolina Hurricanes, after 10 years of breaking down barriers in a non-traditional hockey market by winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, unveiled their alternative (or third jersey) today in front of a lunchtime crowd of about 500 in Raleigh.

It was all about black, black and more black as NHL All-Star MVP Eric Staal, former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cam Ward and defenseman Tim Gleason modeled the team's new “jet black” uniforms on the white ice surface. What a cool look, from the black sweaters with a secondary logo of the hurricane warning flag instead of the customary hurricane swirl, to the black helmets and gloves, to the black pants and skates.

The alternative jerseys officially go on sale Sept. 21 at the team’s annual Caniac Carnival and on the team’s Website, www.carolinahurricanes.com. Fans should expect a price tag of about $300. The Canes will wear them at home for the first time on Oct. 13 against the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, and for 14 additional home games.

“It looks really sharp and it really stands out,” Staal said. “When we end up playing a different team they are all going to go ‘What the heck?’ They’re going to be surprised because it’s not something you see all the time.”

Carolina’s primary colors for a decade have been red and white, with a sprinkle of black and gray in the logos.

“I wish we had black instead of red,” Gleason said. “To have a selection of three different jerseys is exciting. Black makes you look meaner in a way. I enjoy it. The bigger you are the better it suits you.”

Gleason even went as far to say the new digs may give him and his teammates a psychological edge.

“You feel more secure, stronger, I don’t know what it is about black,” Gleason said. “Maybe we can use it against other teams. When you are in black everybody looks a little bigger.”

One other Triangle-based team -- Duke University basketball – also has a third jersey which is black.

Numerous teams have added alternative jerseys for additional revenue stream, and this case is no different. GM Jim Rutherford said the third jersey was in the making since 2003 with fans requesting black and a secondary logo.

“I love our traditional red jerseys, but now is the time to have a little variance and to go to the extreme of black I think a lot of people will like them,” Rutherford said.