With the NHL Draft just a few weeks away – and the Kings holding three of the first 33 selections – much of the talk in these parts has centered around the big club. Meanwhile there is a myriad of activity circling the team’s top minor league affiliate in Ontario; including plans to hire a new assistant coach under Mike Stothers, their home arena has several changes in process, and the Reign will be hosting the 2020 AHL All Star Game.
Being that MayorsManor is known as a full service stop for all things LA Kings-related, we’re here to help. Similar to our previews of previous jersey launches, we’ve been hard at work digging up information about the 2020 ASG sweaters. Here’s what we’ve learned thus far from various league sources:
- As of this week, things remain very fluid, with several different ideas still being worked out. Nothing is finalized just yet and there is time remaining before deadlines must be met – meaning any of this could change before being definitively locked in place.
- With that in mind, discussions have primarily been focused on two different jersey concepts. One involves using the Division names as the primary typography across the front of the jersey. Alternatively, there have been several mock ups created with just the classic ‘AHL’ adorning the front of the sweater.
- In addition to the four colors we present below, we hear there has also been at least two alternate color palettes reviewed – including a bright orange (similar to the color used by the Edmonton Oilers) and a powder blue (think of the jerseys worn by the Penguins in their inaugural outdoor game, except a little brighter – similar to the current Winnipeg Jets alternate jerseys). Although not the exact same tones, perhaps the use of blue and orange is a slight nod to the original Ontario Reign (the ECHL version). As we’ve learned from other recent jersey designs, they often contain little subtle aspects, riffing off a specific meaning or event and paying homage to hockey history.
- More color? From one of the earlier sets we were made aware of, there was at least the idea brought up to talk about a purple/white/silver/black set of AHL ASG jerseys. We’ve been told the league opted to not move forward with that idea and perhaps it’s a good thing. From what we’ve heard in separate conversations, the Kings are thinking in that direction for the 2020 Stadium Series jerseys they’ll be wearing against the Colorado Avalanche next February.
- If the AHL moves forward with the uniform kits we’ve been privy to, the pants look to have three stars down the leg – think, early Washington Capitals. As for the gloves, think Gretzky-style. They are three colors: primarily black, with silver fingers, and white down the inside of the hand (near the thumb area).
Using the above information, longtime MayorsManor artist Justin Cox prepared the following:
Regarding the logo, quite some time ago we heard rumblings suggesting it was going to be a derivative of the 2017 NHL All Star Game logo used by Los Angeles. That version of the 2020 ASG idea was based around a star, had palm trees and used the Reign font (taken from the 1967-1999 LA Kings logos) to spell out ‘All Star’ in big letters. Now, there seems to be some preference for instead using the current LA Kings font to spell out ‘All Star’ in the logo for the 2020 AHL All Star Classic (yes, that’s the official name).
As featured in the sample below, the logo itself has also been reworked in more of a rectangular shape. From what it looks like, this logo may have been inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement in early 1900s California architecture, combined with the current Kings crest/brand. Also note, a sponsor name will eventually be added into the lower portion of the logo, currently blacked out.
With this apparent change to the logo, we also expect a slight modification to the jersey mocked up below. If the league opts to go with the ‘AHL’ only version of the sweaters, rather than the Division versions highlighted above, our sources indicated there would at least be an attempt to change the ‘AHL’ font to match what’s featured in the new logo.
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