What's Being Celebrated?

There's no secret that the Winnipeg Jets' logo is based on that of the Royal Canadian Air Force. We know Jets' owner Mark Chipman sought permission to use a variation of the logo for the Jets' logo, the jersey unveiling came on the tarmac at 17 Wing Winnipeg, the local Canadian Air Force Base in Winnipeg, where the players emerged down the ramp of a Hercules aircraft. They've worn a jersey to honour the RCAF as an alternate jersey in 2023-24 for the RCAF Centennial, so anyone who wants to say that Winnipeg's NHL team doesn't have military ties is missing all the evidence. For some reason, though, that military theme has now spilled over to the other hockey tenant at Canada Life Centre.

The AHL's Manitoba Moose play in the same rink as the Jets do, and the Moose have some decent jerseys that were made better with the inclusion of the baby blue Moose jersey that has the throwback logo. Frankly, I feel this alternate jersey should be used more often, and I've always been a fan of that throwback, cartoonish logo. I still have multiple IHL Manitoba Moose jerseys with that logo on them.

On Wednesday, November 26, the Jets won't be in town to celebrate some history as they'll be in Washington, DC to play the Capitals, but the Manitoba Moose will be at Canada Life Centre to host the Belleville Senators. On that night, the Moose will wear the logo and jersey seen below despite there being no significance to the date.

I'll break down the jerseys a little further below, but I'm confused as to why the Manitoba Moose are wearing these specialty jerseys to commemorate the 100th anniversary of CFB Winnipeg when it appears that there's no significance to the date for CFB Winnipeg?

According to RCAF Info, the Canadian military established an aviation wing in Winnipeg with "formation of No. 1 Canadian Wing Royal Air Force in 1918". That Canadian Wing Royal Air Force base lasted in name until 1968 when the RCAF "adopted a new organization structured on the Base Concept". As you can see 1925 hasn't been part of CFB Winnipeg's history outside of existing for that year, but April 1, 1924 did mark the official founding of the Canadian Air Force which was celebrated by the Jets with the RCAF Centennial jersey.

Weird history aside, these Moose jersey actually look really good. The light gray, thick stripe across the chest, back, and sleeves gives good contrast to both the white jersey and the darker numbers and intricate logo, and the light blue, thin stripes accentuating the thick gray stripe add a splash of colour to tie the jersey's features together. The light blue collar breaks up the white across the chest, and the only improvement I would have made would have been a light gray shoulder yoke with the light blue stripe and white gap between the two contrast colours.

The back of the jersey is easy to read as well, and my only complaint is the CCM logo and underlines being in blue. They should have been in the light gray colour to blend into the jersey as opposed to pulling one's eyes up from the name and number. I get that CCM made these jerseys, but that shouldn't be the focal point when viewing the back.

I'll give credit where credit is due in saying that the Moose designed a solid jersey. Again, I'm puzzled by how they achieved the math to honour CFB Winnipeg's 100th anniversary, but the jersey in which they'll celebrate that anniversary should look good on the ice next Wednesday when they face the Belleville Senators. Maybe they'll explain how they arrived at the 100th anniversary that night?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!