Artist behind Canucks' Lunar New Year jerseys says design intended to promote community, 'positive change'
The Vancouver Canucks will soon be sporting a new look during warm-ups in honour of the Lunar New Year.
Trevor Lai made more than 80 sketches while designing the jersey, which features the Canucks' orca logo transforming into a tiger, to match the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese zodiac.
Lai said he worked hard to incorporate Vancouver's Chinese heritage into the design.
"On the shoulder patches, I put the Chinatown Millennium Gate, and that was really important, and to put the Chinese characters of the Vancouver Canucks team into the gate to say that we are one community," Lai said.
"I think that message is also really resonating. So, to see the fanbase of all ethnicities get so passionate about this design is really an honor and I really thank the team for letting me do it."
The lifelong Canucks fan said he wanted his design to honour the team's logo, while also symbolizing "positive change" for the new year.
"If you look at the fin of the design, obviously that was the biggest challenge for me," Lai said. "It's like, how do you put a fin on a tiger? You know, that doesn't really work in nature. And then I thought it was a perfect space to put the Chinese character for Tiger … It goes right in the fin, and it just happened to fit perfectly with the Chinese calligraphy. And I was really happy about that."
The Canucks will wear the jerseys during warm-ups as part of their Lunar New Year celebrations.
Proceeds from sales of merchandise bearing Lai's design will be donated to Elimin8Hate, which is the advocacy arm of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival and works to combat anti-Asian racism in Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street