Ready To Loot And Pillage

They teased out their jersey unveiling weeks ago, but the ECHL's Savannah Ghost Pirates made it happen last night. One always has a pang of fear when an expansion team is designing its inaugural uniform set, and the Ghost Pirates did themselves no favours by naming their mascot "Davy" rather than "Davy Jones" which almost seemed like a given. With a roster nearly in place and fans being excited for the first home game on November 5, the Ghost Pirates still needed some uniforms for their debut two weeks from today when they open the season in Greenville. What would they wear?

Before we get into this, I should remind everyone of the ECHL's rule about jerseys because they do the jersey switch midway through the season. From the ECHL website, "Teams will wear their white jerseys at home and dark jerseys on the road for all games through Jan. 16, 2023. As of Jan. 20, 2023, teams will wear their dark jerseys at home and their white jerseys on the road through the end of the regular season. During the Playoffs, home teams will continue wearing their dark jerseys and vsiting teams will continue to wear their white jerseys." In knowing that, let's start with what they'll wear in Greenville.

As much as I'm against black jerseys, the Savannah Ghost Pirates made black a part of their primary colour scheme when they introduced the team. There's a lot to like with this jersey as the logo is prominently featured on the chest, the striping on the sleeves and hem does a good job in breaking up the monotomny of the black jersey, and the green forearms provide some necessary contrast on the jersey. I would have liked to have seen a green shoulder yoke stripe just to make that secondary Georgia-shaped logo pop out a little more, but the Ghost Pirates got mostly everything right on this jersey. Yes, the "AK" Athletic Knit logo needs to go to the neckline or the back hem, but I don't make the rules for where the manufacturer's mark goes on ECHL jerseys. I would have liked to have seen the font being used on these jerseys as well, but the Ghost Pirates are holding their cards close to their chest on that jersey feature for now.

When the Ghost Pirates do return home on November 5, the jersey to the left is what they'll wear and there's a lot to like on this uniform. I appreciate the Ghost Pirates using a different variation on their logo for their home jersey as they've created distinct reason outside of colour to own both jerseys with that change. The sleeves and chest have a nice splash of green with the stripe, and there isn't an overuse of black on the sleeves to drown out the green. The hem stripes do enough to break up the white by creating a contrast, but I question the white below the stripes where one would usually see that colour match the pants or breezers worn by the team. The everyday Ghost Pirates logo moves to the shoulder, and I could use a touch of colour through a shoulder yoke there - maybe similar to the sleeve? Either way, the Ghost Pirates will look classy when they return home for their first-ever home game which, might I add, is already sold out!

The Ghost Pirates will also wear an alternate jersey, and I had reservations about a green alternate jersey in that shade of green that Savannah chose. Let me say that those reservations were put to rest in seeing this jersey as they use a third jersey template for their third jersey! The green works as the primary colour when framed by the black shoulder yoke, and I like how it tempers the boldness of the green colour. The sleeve stripes work in providing that white pop of colour to break up both the black sleeves and the green presence, and the subtle white-over-black hem stripe keeps the green from overpowering the other colours. The Ghost Pirates use a fifth logo on the shoulders with the priate flag patch, but it seems fairly clear that the Ghost Pirates are going to have fun with their jersey choices and imagery this season.

Overall, the Ghost Pirates didn't shy away from who they are by featuring a jersey in all three primary colours of their colour palette. They all have hockey jersey elements, making them look traditional despite the team being entirely new. It's a bold choice to use three different jersey templates for three jerseys in the same season, but the Ghost Pirates are giving fans a reason to buy all three jerseys. There are more things to like than dislike collectively on the three jerseys, so let's give the Ghost Pirates a thumbs-up on the three uniforms they'll wear for their inaugural season!

They'll loot and pillage hockey rinks for wins and points this season as they look to make the playoffs in their first season of play, but one thing is certain for the Savannah Ghost Pirates: they'll look like a well-dressed hockey team when they come to town!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!