Senators introduce heritage jersey at Puck Drop event

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today unveiled their heritage uniform at an open practice as part of the Puck Drop event held at Scotiabank Place. The heritage uniform features several historical elements from the early Ottawa Senators uniforms, interpreted with a modern look that balances the past with the present. The team will wear the heritage uniform for the first time on Thursday, Oct. 13, when they take on the Colorado Avalanche at Scotiabank Place.

Design elements

The O logo on the front of the jersey and on the uniform pants pays homage to the O that was often emblazoned on the uniforms worn by the early Senators teams prior to leaving Ottawa in 1934.

Following championship seasons during the early days of the NHL, clubs would often adorn its sweater with a special crest to commemorate the achievement. The Senators' shoulder patch is designed with inspiration from the "World Champs 1926-1927" crest that was worn following the Senators' Stanley Cup win in 1927. The patches appear on both shoulders but the original 1927 text has been replaced with Ottawa Senators/Senateurs d'Ottawa to acknowledge the team's bilingual fan base in the region.

The uniform features the club's official colours of black, red, and white, with the heritage jersey using an antique white that reflects uniforms of the past.

Fan involvement in design of the uniform concept

Prior to the 2007-08 season, the Senators unveiled home and road jerseys with a shoulder patch that featured the distinctive O logo used by the early Ottawa teams. Inspired by this history, Jacob Barrette, a Gatineau-based graphic designer and Sens fan, designed a jersey rooted in Senators history. Barrette posted this image of the jersey online to solicit feedback from fellow fans, with the results being overwhelmingly positive.

In 2009, Senators vice-president of marketing Jeff Kyle, aware of the fan reaction to Barrette's design, commissioned Barrette to help create the concept for the uniform. Barrette, along with the Senators and local hockey historian Paul Kitchen, conducted extensive research at Library and Archives Canada and the City of Ottawa to ensure the historical accuracy of the uniform's heritage elements. Barrette then presented design concepts to the Senators and Kitchen. After a number of revisions, they worked with Reebok to adapt the design to fit the Edge jersey, resulting in the uniform that was unveiled earlier today.

Exclusive period for purchase

The heritage jersey is on sale now and will be available exclusively at all three Sens Store locations (Carlingwood Mall, Place d'Orleans and Scotiabank Place) until Oct. 11. At $149.99, fans can purchase the Heritage Hockey Pack, which includes a premier adult heritage jersey, a vintage scarf and toque, and a voucher for a pair of 300-level tickets to the Oct. 13 game at Scotiabank Place, when the heritage jersey will be worn by the Senators for the first time.

Senators players at Sens Stores

On Sunday, Oct. 2, and Monday, Oct. 3, Senators players will be appearing at each of the three Sens stores to sign autographs. On Sunday, a player will be present at each Sens Store location from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., while on Monday a player will be at each store from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Any fan who purchases a new heritage jersey at these times at any Sens Store will also receive a player-autographed Senators cap.

Heritage uniform dates

The Senators will wear the heritage uniform 12 times this season, 11 times at Scotiabank Place and once on the road. The heritage uniform schedule for the 2011-12 season:

Thursday, Oct. 13, vs. Colorado

Sunday, Oct. 30, vs. Toronto

Friday, Nov. 4, vs. Montreal

Wednesday, Dec. 14, vs. Boston

Friday, Dec. 16, vs. Pittsburgh

Tuesday, Dec. 27, vs. Montreal

Tuesday, Feb. 7, vs. St. Louis

Saturday, Feb. 11, vs. Edmonton

Friday, March 2, vs. Chicago

Wednesday, March 14, at Montreal

Friday, March 16, vs. Montreal

Saturday, March 17, vs. Toronto