Just weeks after introducing its much-vaunted, sleek new NHL uniforms, Reebok is making modifications to try to mollify a growing number of players who have complained about the discomfort they're experiencing from the scientifically-designed fabric.
The most common complaint is the jerseys, which were designed to be lighter while repelling moisture and improving ventilation, are causing sweat to pool in their equipment.
"Obviously, the uniforms don't get rid of the sweat," said one U.S. hockey equipment distributor who has been hearing complaints from players and trainers. "It just goes right down into the gloves, the pants, the shin pads and the skates."
The company began shipping modified jerseys last weekend — replacing the front panel with the material largely used in the old-style uniforms — to some disgruntled players. And it is reportedly hunting for a new fabric, even as it defends its product publicly.
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Spurred by stars such as Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Reebok's biggest hockey endorser, the company is rushing to fix what could turn into a public relations headache.
The problems with the new uniforms are reminiscent of the NBA's ill-fated attempt to bring new technology to its basketballs last season, and could lead to a similarly embarrassing product recall if complaints continue from major NHL stars.
The NBA introduced synthetic balls to start the 2006-07 season, but they were gone in favour of the old leather ball by Jan. 1, after a barrage of complaints from players.
"To say [Reebok] will abandon the whole thing is probably premature," one hockey industry watcher familiar with the situation said. "But I know they are looking for different material. I would imagine that it's probably very costly for Reebok. These sweaters are not inexpensive."
Both the league and Reebok insist the new jerseys are here to stay.
"We are only changing a panel," NHL spokesperson Bernadette Mansur said. "We are simply offering an alternative to the players who are requesting it."
Reebok and the league unveiled the new look for all 30 teams with considerable fanfare and after what the company described as extensive testing both on the ice and in the laboratory. AHL teams have also been outfitted with them.
"The performance benefits of the Rbk Edge uniform system were proven during testing last season with 28 of 30 NHL teams," said Michele Fortier, a spokesperson with Reebok-CCM in Montreal. "We are pleased that overall player feedback has been very positive. We will continue to work with NHL players to ensure they have the best hockey uniform possible."
Industry sources say the company did not do enough testing under game conditions.
"The material itself is not performing the way they originally designed," one industry insider said. "There was not enough due diligence performed on this material prior to putting these uniforms on the entire league."
Besides excess sweating, other complaints have focused on the fact they appear to rip more easily. And some players don't like the tighter fit, which they find more restrictive.
"Because there's different materials, I don't know why, but it [moisture] gets caught in different places and in other places it keeps running [down]. Because it grabs the water in certain spots, it [the jersey] is still heavy," Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexander Steen said yesterday.
While Steen's teammate Matt Stajan said he can't tell much difference in the feel of the new and old sweaters and he'll wear whatever the team provides, he added: "They do resist water and sweat, but that sweat is going somewhere else."
Reebok has not revealed how many players are ditching the new material.
"We have been aware of player concerns about the new Rbk jerseys and socks dating back to early preseason," Stu Grimson, associate counsel with the NHL Players' Association, said in a statement.
"We'll continue to monitor the problem closely to ensure the problem is resolved to the satisfaction of players."
With files from David Shoalts
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