NHL equipment: Flyers 1989

[adalbort 1]

Hi all,

I have been wondering for the last minutes in which forum would this topic fit best, but finally I decided that since it is about equipment (even if not modern one) I might as well post it here.

I was watching tonight the first edition of Don Cherry's Rock'em Sock'em, and in minute 26:05 they have some images from an old game between a team whose jersey I cant recognise ('cause it's vintage) and the Philly Flyers, and the Flyers seem to be wearing long-sleeved trousers instead of the usual combination of short trousers (pants in the States and Canada) and socks. What is this all about?? I have been wondering for years how come nobody ever thought of bringing full-on protection trousers into hockey, instead of the usual outfit. I am sure somebody already had this idea in the past, and for whatever-reason it has been found not to be such a good one after all, even if it does seem to save time in getting (un)dressed (after)before practise/games.

Anybody got any ideas on these issues? They are related questions in a way.

Cheers!

[DarkStar50 680]

Your answer can be found in the Downloads section here on MSH. Check out the 1987 Cooper catalog and look at the long Cooperall pants. That is what the Flyers and Hartford Whalers wore for a few seasons in the NHL.

[flyers10 57]

Supposedly the NHL banned them for player safety. Too little friction and could cause injuries sliding too easily/fast on ice into boards, etc. I heard rumors that NHL banned them cause they wanted uniform appearance for uniform style across the league and another that they had better aerodynamics and that was unfair advantage. Not sure what main reason was.

[cptjeff 0]

Cooperalls on the flyers would have been no later then a 1983 game. They only used them for three seasons.

As for the other team, http://nhluniforms.com is where you figure that out. Click on 1981-82 or 82-83 and pick out the team you saw.

And sliding on the ice too fast was the reason I've always heard.

[DarkStar50 680]

I understood it to be a uniformity issue among all teams. When did the NHL ever care about a player getting hurt as a result of equipment? Especially in the 80s?!!

[goaliekilr 0]

I thought the goalies were complaining they were unable to see the puck, as I remember the Flyers were all black, no stripes down the side.

[shooter27 118]

I understood it to be a uniformity issue among all teams. When did the NHL ever care about a player getting hurt as a result of equipment? Especially in the 80s?!!

I'm pretty sure the NHL did use the "safety" reasoning at some point when justifying the decision, but you're right, the real reason was because they wanted uniform conformity.

[fultonreed 1]

I'm pretty sure the NHL did use the "safety" reasoning at some point when justifying the decision, but you're right, the real reason was because they wanted uniform conformity.

for sure

[cbart 1]

for sure

We wore these in peewees back in the day....And yes, once you were down, pretty tough to get back up.

[duch 0]

We have a guy in our men's league that still wears his regularly. Says he'll wear them until they fall apart because he finds them a lot more comfortable than pants or girdles. I didn't ask him about the ventilation in them but that doesn't seem to be an issue with him. Brings back a lot of memories from the old 80's Flyers team.

[fastmiele 59]

We have a guy in our men's league that still wears his regularly. Says he'll wear them until they fall apart because he finds them a lot more comfortable than pants or girdles. I didn't ask him about the ventilation in them but that doesn't seem to be an issue with him. Brings back a lot of memories from the old 80's Flyers team.

Isn't a girdle still worn underneath ? The long pants is a just a "shell" ? I should know because I have a set. I started hockey late and a friend gave the Cooperall set as a starter.