The Hershey Bears revealed their team’s jersey for the Outdoor Classic game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms today.
It features “HERSHEY” in chocolate color spelled in a left-to-right diagonal on a white base. The club’s popular “skating bear” logo is on the right side.
The game will be played at Hersheypark Stadium on January 20, and the Bears and Philadelphia Flyers Alumni will play the prior day in separate uniforms from the ones announced today.
“This jersey celebrates the rich tradition of the Hershey Bears and pulls design elements from many historic ears in our 80-year history,” Bears executive vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer said in the team’s release.
The chocolate stripes on the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and waist resemble that of the 1969 Calder Cup team, when the Bears defeated the Quebec Aces in five games. It was the team’s fifth championship.
In 2007-08, the Bears also had similar sweaters with the lettering. For home games, “BEARS” was spelled out on a white jersey, “HERSHEY” was on a maroon jersey for road games. Hershey won the Calder Cup in those uniforms in 2009, featuring many current Capitals.
On the shoulders are two decals: one for the game itself on the left shoulder, and one for the team’s 80th anniversary. Joe Bosack and Co. of Pottsville, Pennsylvania designed both patches.
Replica versions will be available for sale at the game, and the game-worn jerseys of both the Outdoor Classic and the Alumni Game will be auctioned off after each game. The auction will benefit the Central PA Food Bank.
The Phantoms will unveil their jerseys for the game soon, and those will also be auctioned after the game.
The Bears and Phantoms have met six times this season, with the Phantoms winning four of those games. The teams will meet twice the week before the outdoor game, and three times after to complete their 12-game season set.
