And so, the great debate ensues as the Utah Hockey Club finally unveiled its road white uniforms on Monday. The unveiling will, as with all uniforms, bring about the great debate of whether the rock black look is better, complete with the rock black helmet, or if the road look is one that fans prefer.
For me, it’s always been an easy answer even before the official unveiling: I’m a fan of the lighter uniforms for one major reason: I don’t like the same color jersey, pants, and socks, which gives uniforms those infamous but for some strange reason wildly popular monochromatic looks.
You see this often in football - the Arizona Cardinals might be the most notorious example in the NFL - but you see it all over the NHL landscape, with at least half the league’s teams insisting on the monochromatic look on their home ice. Now, with all that being said, some teams pull this off well, with Utah being one of them.
But black on black, regardless of the official shade, is one outlier, even if it doesn’t supersede the road whites. It’s why, while I was happy to see the Anaheim Ducks bring back an updated version of their classic logo, I cringed when I saw that their home look would be all orange. Yikes!
Utah Hockey Club’s road whites should be its best uniform combo
Utah’s road whites, which will go with a white helmet and black pants, bring about a solid contrast between dark and light colors. Or, in Utah’s case, salt white and rock black. Now, once Utah eventually unveils its nickname next season and, ultimately, a third jersey, whenever that time comes for the latter, we’ll revisit this debate on what the premier uniform will be for the club.
For me, if Utah keeps the same color palette, and they should, I’m guessing we’ll see a mountain blue jersey with the logo - or stairstep lettering of the team name - emblazoned onto the jersey. Pair that look with a rock black helmet and rock black pants, plus mountain blue socks, and you have arguably the best alternate uniform in the league.
Until then, it’s a “wait and see” period regarding Utah and, of course, how these uniforms ultimately look on the ice. But if I were to make a pick right now, it’s the color contrast a white jersey would bring with rock black pants. I just wish they’d do the right thing and pair it with a rock black helmet, but I’ll take what I’m given.