Iconic Maple Leaf missing from IIHF-mandated Canada women’s hockey jerseys
Canadian hockey players often speak of their pride in representing the Maple Leaf, but that iconic national symbol will be missing from this year's world women's hockey championship.
This year’s world women’s hockey championship will see the absence of the iconic Maple Leaf on Canada’s jerseys. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has mandated both Canada and the United States to wear generic jerseys designed by the IIHF and its supplier, True Hockey. A photo from media day shows Canada’s goaltender Kayle Osborne wearing a red jersey with minimal embellishments.
The Canadian team’s name is prominently displayed in white letters on the chest. The jersey’s collar features a white color with a red map of Canada embossed in the center. Horizontal red and black stripes contrast against the white background near the sleeves and torso. The IIHF reached an agreement with True Hockey in October 2022 to be the exclusive supplier of uniforms and apparel for IIHF member national associations in all international events starting from the 2026-27 season.
Hockey Canada and USA Hockey currently have their own apparel and jersey contracts with Bauer and CCM, respectively, and are contesting these decisions in a Swiss court. IIHF bylaws dictate final approval over jersey designs. The design for the recently released Hockey Canada jerseys by Bauer includes the national body’s logo—a silhouette of a hockey player with a red and black Maple Leaf. Canada is set to kick off its tournament against Sweden on Friday.
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