Canucks ring in Lunar New Year with jerseys

Good luck, health and strength are all themes incorporated into the Vancouver Canucks’ newest Lunar New Year jersey design as they ring in the year of the dragon.

Designer Trevor Lai, who was also behind the previous designs for the year of the rabbit and tiger, says collaborating with his favourite team again was a dream come true.

“This is my hockey player mentality, a game at a time. I try to take it a jersey at a time,” he said.

“With the first one, it was such an honour to create that, and the response was so overwhelming from the fans and community, that I really feel energized every time I approach a jersey.”

The logo includes fine details, such as the original Canucks colours reflected in the dragon’s eyes. Even at the steep price of almost $1,000, including taxes and fees, the jerseys were sold out online almost immediately.

“The concept was how do you make the dragon work with the skate, and really show it rising above, and showing that excellence, that honour, that power that we want,” Lai said.

“The craftsmanship that goes into every jersey, which are all handmade here, locally, I think is something that people can appreciate.”

If the $888 price tag is too much of a splurge for you, there are more affordable lunar new year merch options available, such as their t-shirt priced at $38 or a $25 scarf.

“I’m really proud of the collection,” Lai said. “One of the things I talked about with the team, is how can we create more items to make sure every fan has something they can access in the collection.”

For this fan, who happened to be born in the year of the dragon, watching the game while wearing her new merch would make her new year extra special.

“It would be very awesome. I’ve been a Canucks fan for a very long time,” she said.

Vancouver Canucks players will not be wearing the jerseys during warmups due to the recent NHL regulations.

More jerseys will be available for sale at the team store on game day on Jan. 27. Of the proceeds from the jersey sales, $20,000 will be donated to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation and Success B.C.

Related Video: