Over the course of the ECHL’s history, we have seen thousands of promo’s, speciality themed and throwback uniforms make their debut for a game. While many, in my opinion, should be thrown in the trash and never see the light of day again (looking at you Indy Fuel and Cincinnati Cyclones, you know what you did), there are many I’ve come to really enjoy and even love. Below is my top ten list of all time best ECHL promo jerseys.
10. Adirondack Thunder Autism Awareness Jerseys
To start off the list, I picked the 2015-16 Adirondack Thunder Autism Awareness Jerseys. Even though they’re number ten on the list, these jerseys are still amazing. To start off, you have the amazing autism puzzle design on the uniform on the shoulders and around the arms and waist. Despite the fact there isn’t much going on here besides on the waist, shoulder and arms, everything is evenly balanced out and is still very unique. You also have Adirondack in a cursive style font across the front, with the head logo underneath, which I really like on the jersey, it’s different. Overall, it’s an amazing uniform for a great cause and I’d give it a 7.5 out of 10.
9. Norfolk Admirals St. Patty’s Day Jerseys
Coming in at number nine are the Norfolk Admirals St. Patty’s Day jerseys, which they wore during the 2014-15 ECHL season. Not only are these uniforms nice and simple with unique elements added, but the team actually dyed the ice green for this game. If that’s not dedication, then I don’t know what is. Sticking to the uniform though, there are so many great parts here. From the outlines of shamrocks in the white block between the two stripes to the shamrock logo with the team name in cursive, this uniform screams St. Patrick’s day. The goalie having green pads was a nice bonus as well. I’d give this jersey an 8 out of 10 as well.
8. Utah Grizzlies Halloween Themed Jerseys
Let me start of by saying I’m probably going to get a lot of hate for having this jersey on my list, but I think this jersey is so underrated. Introduced in the 2014-15 season, the Utah Grizzlies shocked the world when they unveiled a Halloween skeleton themed jersey. The design doesn’t just stop at the jersey, though, as the skeleton print goes down to the pants and then the socks. There’s also added elements you might not notice such as the iconic Grizzlies bear paw trying to claw its way out behind the ribs. Overall, this jersey is amazing and screams Halloween. I would be all for this jersey being brought back in the future. I’d give this an 8.5 out of 10.
7. Toledo Walleye Goaldiggers Jerseys
Coming in at number seven is the Toledo Walleye’s Toledo Goaldiggers throwback uniforms, which debuted during the 2017-18 season. What makes these uniforms great is the simplicity and colours, but also the play on words with the name Goaldiggers. Not only is the name hilarious and clever at the same time, but Toledo took it one step further by unveiling a white version of these jersey, which they wore for a couple games that season. Also, I don’t know if it’s just me, but I get a very Vancouver Canucks-is feeling from the logo. Overall, it’s a great uniform and I’d give it an 8.5 out of 10.
6. Brampton Beast Military Appreciation Jerseys
Coming in at number six is the recently defunct Brampton Beast’s 2019-20 Military Appreciation jerseys. These are different, as they honour the Canadian military compared to the U.S. military. Nonetheless, these are awesome and very action packed. You have the striping that goes across the front of the uniform and along the arms, which is a very nice and clean look. Then you have the classic Canadian maple leaf in the center, and inside that, you have the silhouettes of Canadian soldiers, which also appear along the white stripe on both sides of the main crest. Sadly, with the team not returning for next season, we won’t get to see another amazing military appreciation jersey from Brampton. Overall though, I’d give this jersey a 9 out of 10.
5. Maine Mariners Throwback Jerseys
Starting off our top five is the Maine Mariners amazing throwback uniforms honouring the original Maine Mariners, who played in the AHL and were affiliated with the Philadelphia Flyers from 1977/78 to 1986/87. These uniforms are exact replicas of the original Flyers uniforms worn during that time, and because of that, they were perfect to bring back to honour the past success of the original Mariners. I’d give these jerseys a 9 out of 10.
4. Cincinnati Cyclones Mighty Ducks Jerseys
Continuing our countdown, we head to number four, which is the Cincinnati Cyclones Mighty Ducks replica jerseys, worn during the 2017-18 season. Like me, I assume anyone and everyone who is a hockey fan has seen the Mighty Ducks movies and is very aware of this jersey. Everything in this jersey is spot on and screams QUACK at you while making you want to get into the Flying V formation. What makes these even better is that they replaced the duck on the front with their own mascot. These jerseys are easily a 9.5 out of 10.
3. South Carolina Stingrays Pink In The Rink Jersey
Let me start of by saying that despite the fact that I cover the Stingrays, there was no bias in this choice. These jerseys deserve to be at number three on my list for multiple reasons. Making their debut this season, the Stingrays dove into the past and pulled out their iconic inaugural season uniforms simply recoloured in pink. You have the amazing wave design along the bottom of the jersey and sleeves and the iconic original Stingrays logo on the front recoloured. This jersey definitely is a 10 out of 10 and I hope to see it return next year for Pink in the Rink Night, or maybe return the original jersey and make it an alternate.
2. Orlando Solar Bears Ugly X-Mas Sweater Jersey
I’m probably going to receive some hate again for having these on my list like Utah, but much higher. Let me explain myself. Making their debut during the 2017-18 season, these sweaters strayed away from other countless ugly Christmas sweater jerseys we’d seen in the league before. Orlando definitely made sure the design screamed ugly Christmas sweater, but made them so much more unique by adding in the palm trees and bear paw prints. Not only that, but they kept the sweater in their team colours instead of recolouring in red and green. These are amazing uniforms and the Solar Bears continue to knock the ball out of the park every season on their ugly X-mas sweater jersey designs. I give this jersey a 10 out of 10.
1. Swamp Rabbits Grrrowl Throwback Jersey
Coming in at number on my list of all time best promo, throwback and themed jerseys is the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Growl throwback jerseys. Before I get started, I will admit that being from Greenville, I definitely was biased when picking these as number one. Besides that, these jerseys, which debuted during the 2016-17 season, are gorgeous. Growing up a long time Grrrowl fan who secretly hopes the team will come back one day, these jerseys were spot on. The colours and logo are exact and the history behind that logo is synonymous with Greenville. These jerseys were brought back to celebrate the team’s 2002 Kelly Cup Championship win over the Dayton Bombers. These jerseys deserve the number one spot and of course are a 10 out of 10.
Honorable Mention
An honourable mention that didn’t make the list, but should be included on a bigger list would be the Jacksonville Icemen’s Marvel Thanos themed jerseys this season, complete with gold gloves that include each individual infinity stone on one glove. They definitely are amazing and deserve to be mentioned. The jersey just isn’t as amazing as the gloves and that’s why it wasn’t on my top ten list. Overall, I’d give the jersey a 4 out of 10, but the gloves a 10 out of 10.
What do you think, though? Did I miss any jerseys that you think deserved to be on this list? Let me know below what you think.