IceCaps new jersey pays tribute to Beaumont Hamel

The St. John'sIceCapshave a new jersey that pays tribute to the100thanniversary of the Battle of BeaumontHamel.

IceCapsCEODanny Williams unveiled the new jersey at the Rooms on Thursday, before an applauding audience of officers and veterans.

"2016 is a very, very important year, a huge year for Newfoundland and Labrador...We thoughtwe really need to do something special," said Williams.

"TheIceCapshave made it a priority that we properly recognize the military for everything that they do for us."

TheIceCapsworked with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on the initiative and Williams said the military happily embraced the project.

Local graphic designer Troy Birmingham designed the new jersey, which replaces theIceCapslogo with a silhouette of a Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldier kneeling before a ridge.

The jersey keeps the team's colour palette, which is a reference to its parent club, the MontrealCanadiens.

"Even though it's comparing a very happy moment to a very tragic moment, it's 100 years ago to the year that the MontrealCanadienswon their first Stanley Cup, so there is some parallelism," said Williams.

The team will wear the new jersey on ice for the first time onFeb.5, playing against the Utica Comets.

Williams also announced Thursday that he will name a street in theGalwaydevelopment "BeaumontHamelWay."