“Team Teal” has been a nickname for the San Jose Sharks since they helped make the color part of the American sports uniform lexicon three decades ago. It has an added meaning now. The Sharks unveiled new uniforms for the 2022-23 season Wednesday night. One of them will feature the club’s first all-teal look in franchise history.

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“I’ve seen the uniforms. I just got the gloves and the pants today and I think they look really cool,” Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna said last week. “It’s going to be an adjustment, just visually. But I think it’s going to be a pretty clean look. And the whites look really good too.”

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Players have been testing out parts of the new ensemble — teal helmets, gloves, pants and socks — during their informal “captain’s skates” at Sharks Ice for the past couple of weeks.

This is the first significant change to the Sharks’ uniforms since 2013. They were the first team in the NHL to make teal its primary color during their inaugural season in 1991-92.

“As a goalie, I get to be privy to seeing them early, so my gear matches up,” goaltender James Reimer said. “I think it looks great. It looks sharp.”

The new season is also the beginning of a new era for the franchise. Former general manager Doug Wilson resigned in April, and Bob Boughner was dismissed from his head coaching duties on July 1.

Mike Grier became the first Black GM in NHL history on July 6, and David Quinn replaced Boughner three weeks later.

“There are a lot of things that have changed here, so no better time to switch (the uniforms) out too,” Sharks forward Timo Meier said. “Kind of bring in some new energy. I’m excited. It’s a little adjustment at first. I was shocked at first when I walked in the locker room and saw all the teal, the helmets. They are nice. Excited to see them in action.”

go-deeper

The Sharks are also going to have a new “reverse retro” look at some point this season. There have been multiple reports that San Jose’s version of the leaguewide initiative will pay homage to the California Golden Seals, who played in Oakland from 1967 to 1976.

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“That is sick. They are really nice,” Meier said when he saw a photo of the expected ensemble. “Wow. Those are unbelievable.”

(Photo: Amanda J. Cain / San Jose Sharks)

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