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SPHL Specialty Uniforms That Deserve Stick Taps

By Chris Baker

Mandatory Credit: Christian Walgram/Gepa via USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Christian Walgram/Gepa via USA TODAY Sports /
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Minor league sports are, if I am being honest, my favorite. There is a certain amount of freedom there that is not allowed in the pros. No where is that more evident than in the uniform department. Risks taken in the minors would be scorned in the pros or shunned by all but the most open minded. Take these to SPHL specialty kit combos that have come up on our radar.

First is our favorite SPHL team the Fayetteville Marksmen. The Marksmen will roll out several specialty kits this season including this absolute beaut of a set for Pro Wrestling Night.

The night featured an appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, and the Marksmen added his trademark HAVE A NICE DAY! to the back of their black and red flannel sweaters.

Sure, we are a little biased but these are just too good to pass up.

Another is this set up from the Knoxville Ice Bears. It pays homage the the Knoxville Knights who hit the ice in K-vegas from 1961 to 1968. The Knights were a middling to poor team in the Eastern Hockey League and were replaced by the Knoxville Cherokees after hockey-less period in K-town.

This sweater features the distinctive K of the original sweater, but has shoulder pads of chainmail. It’s got a great nod to the past, with a certain flair you like to see in a specialty kit

Finally, I am giving well deserved stick-taps to the Evansville Thunderbirds for the “Hockey Fights Cancer” turnout. If for no other reason that the color combo of purple and black. I’ve made my feelings on purple in sports unis before, so this is a shoe in hit for me. I particularly like the purple ribbons along the bottom. Awesome little detail!

SPHL teams can take risks many teams in the NHL can’t or won’t. Of course the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers have come up with some absolutely stunning specialty kits but those tend to be the exceptions that prove the rule. So, if you are looking for some top of the line risk taking with specialty uniform kits, look no further than the SPHL. You won’t be disappointed.

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