For the 2022 Heritage Classic on March 13, the Toronto Maple Leafs are throwing it back to 1917.
Instead of sporting the classic Maple Leaf against the Buffalo in Hamilton, Toronto will enter Tim Horton's Field as the "Arenas" -- a tribute to the franchise's early stages from 1917 to 1919.
The jersey was unveiled Thursday on Sportsnet during the first intermission of the Maple Leafs-Pittsburgh Penguins game:
1917 2022
The @Sportsnet crew reveals our Heritage Classic jersey and the tribute to the Toronto Arenas. @adidashockey x TML | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/fcKShrEteE— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 18, 2022
For the Heritage Classic, the @MapleLeafs pay homage to their roots with these slick @adidashockey threads. pic.twitter.com/RyQT4XZlVC
— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2022
Earlier on Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres unveiled that they'll wear the classic charging buffalo with two swords logo on a cream-coloured jersey. The uniforms are made from 60 per cent recycled materials.
These @AdidasHockey x @BuffaloSabres threads will be looking clean at the 2022 NHL Heritage Classic. pic.twitter.com/Hc820kyErE
— NHL (@NHL) February 17, 2022
The outdoor showcase at the home of the CFL’s Tiger-Cats returns to the league’s regular-season schedule after games in 2019 in Regina, 2016 in Winnipeg, 2014 in Vancouver, 2011 in Calgary, and 2003 in Edmonton.
The Leafs-Sabres matchup will be the NHL’s 35th outdoor game, and the third this season following the Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild on Jan. 1, and the Stadium Series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators taking place on Feb. 26.
Toronto will play its fourth outdoor game, while Buffalo makes its third appearance. The temperature in Hamilton on March 13, 2021, reached a high of 5 C.
The game will be broadcast on Sportsnet and SN Now at 3 p.m. ET.
-- With files from Canadian Press
