Kids across Canada are starting to see their jersey designs hit the ice thanks to an annual contest held by the Canadian Hockey League.
The first winners of the 2024-25 edition of the Real Canadian Superstore Jersey Design Contest rolled out over the weekend, with two Western Hockey League teams — the Kamloops Blazers and the Edmonton Oil Kings — wearing jerseys designed by contest entrants under the age of 16.
The Blazers’ jerseys were designed by a young woman named Morgan, and they pay tribute to the Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, British Columbia, that was destroyed by fire in September 2024. A depiction of the Red Bridge made up the striping on the sleeves and waist of the blue jersey, which featured the team’s primary logo on the chest.
The Blazers wore the jerseys on Friday, January 3, against the Kelowna Rockets.
The Oil Kings, meanwhile, wore jerseys on Friday, January 10, against the Prince Albert Raiders that were designed by 10-year-old Julian. They featured an oversized crown on the chest and back. The shoulders and sleeves were red, with blue “Oil Kings” scripts on the sleeves.
The Blazers’ game-worn jerseys were auctioned off online after their game, while the Oil Kings raffled their game-worn jerseys off during their game. Funds raised by both teams went to the PC Children’s Charity, which funds lunch programs in schools across Canada.
A total of 31 teams across the Canadian Hockey League are participating in this year’s Jersey Design Contest. Last season, jerseys were rolled out between January and March. Only teams in the WHL and the Ontario Hockey League took part in the contest last year, but based on promotional materials for this season’s edition, it’s possible teams from the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League are participating this time around.
