A “Yellow Jersey” Fan Ranks The 2022-23 Uniform Kits

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 06: Zach Aston-Reese #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles Brent Burns #8 of the Carolina Hurricanes for the puck during the third period of their game at PNC Arena on November 06, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 06: Zach Aston-Reese #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles Brent Burns #8 of the Carolina Hurricanes for the puck during the third period of their game at PNC Arena on November 06, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Carolina wore an NHL leading 6 different uniform kits this season, and as a “Yellow Jersey” Canes uni fan, I loved them all. Here is my ranking of the uniform kits for the 2022-23 season.

#1 Reverse Retro

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 06: Zach Aston-Reese #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles Brent Burns #8 of the Carolina Hurricanes for the puck during the third period of their game at PNC Arena on November 06, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 06: Zach Aston-Reese #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles Brent Burns #8 of the Carolina Hurricanes for the puck during the third period of their game at PNC Arena on November 06, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

No surprise here really. At least none in that it is in the top two.

Say what you want about the diagonals, but I really love the simplicity and the old-time hockey idea. I think the Hurricanes need to do a Reverse Retro with a diagonal Whalers jersey with the Storm Warning Flags in the “H.”

I loved the whole Reverse Retro event this year. From the pre-reveal hype to the actual uniform kits, and the call back to last season’s red and black combo.

#2 Whalers Night

This isn’t, the more I look at it, my favorite of the Whalers Night uniform kits. Though my love of anything with the Negative “H” is deep, this one did not hit as hard.

Mar 26, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) and Carolina Hurricanes left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) interact during the warmups before the game against the Boston Bruins at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) and Carolina Hurricanes left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) interact during the warmups before the game against the Boston Bruins at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

With the chance that Whalers Nights could come to an end, I would hate for this to be the one Carolina has to bid farewell to Whalers Night with.

Still, love the green and blue.

#3 Home Black

Since I am a new Cane fan, this was the first 3rd jersey I knew and has been my favorite since. The negative outline of the state seals the deal, but I have a deep connection to all-black. Can’t beat a man in black or at least you can’t beat Johnny Cash in all black.

If Carolina really wanted to get spicey next year, they could do this with a red bottom. I would go nuts! Even the Storm Warning in white with black bottoms would be awesome for the away uniform kits.

#4 Away Whites/ Candy Canes

These get 4th because I really liked the “Candy Canes”. The red helmet helped break up the never-ending white.

Looking back, I have to say this is the best of all the white uniform kits the Hurricanes have produced. The 2008 to 2013 set is not bad either.

Feb 18, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; dCarolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (8) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the third period 2023 Stadium Series ice hockey game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; dCarolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (8) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the third period 2023 Stadium Series ice hockey game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Reds

This uniform kit has grown on me over the years. I remember before I saw the proverbial “light”, thinking these were silly looking.

My very first Canes hat had the “toilet bowl” logo on it and I wasn’t thrilled.

Since then I have really come to like these uniform kits. They are unique in the NHL and pretty iconic in sports. Not many teams run with a circle-based logo, and the amount of red is intimidating.

#6 Stadium Series

I know, originally I could not get enough of these, but that has faded. Maybe I was defending them unjustly.

Something about seeing them so much has turned me against them. Well against them as much as I am ever going to be against a Carolina Hurricanes uni kit.

CALGARY, CANADA – OCTOBER 22: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes prepares for a face-off during the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 22, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta Canada. (Photo by Leah Hennel/Getty Images)
CALGARY, CANADA – OCTOBER 22: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes prepares for a face-off during the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 22, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta Canada. (Photo by Leah Hennel/Getty Images)

The numbers on the helmets were really cool and struck me as futuristic.

#7 Away Whites/ White Helmet

This gets a listing because of my love/hate relationship with it

Just way too much white. It seemed to go on forever until you hit the red bottoms. Then picked right back up for the white on the shocks.

If you are going to use that much white, throw some red or black piping in somewhere.

Still, loved the diagonals as much as everyone else hated them.

Maybe I am too easy as a whole but I really do love what Carolina does with their uniform kits. While the Hurricane logo isn’t my favorite, as you have well read by now, it is the Storm Warnings Flags, the “toilet bowl” is starting to really grow on me.

Nothing will beat the Whalers stuff and that is a hill I’ll die on. Something about recognizing your past, and the color scheme as a whole just does something for me.

P.S. If anyone knows how to get one of those yellow “No Contact” jerseys, let me know. I’s still looking!

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