1996-1999 Nike
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Jerseys |
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Manufacturer: Nike
Material: Airknit/Flowknit Away (Red): Éric Dazé Size 52 Home (White): Denis Savard Size 48 Alternate (Black): Eddie Olczyk Size 52 |
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Jersey History |
CCM's contract was up at the end of the 1995-96 season and Nike was there to swoop up the contract for some teams, including the Hawks. Some teams stuck with CCM while the rest went with Starter. The jerseys still included reinforced elbows and a tie down fight strap. These jersey were also made of Airknit material but had a softer feel to them compared to the CCM models. Nike dubbed this as Flowknit to show some distinction. The NHL shield remained embroidered on the back bottom hem, but the CCM logo was replaced by the Nike swoosh. On some models, a copyright symbol was embroidered next to the NHL logo.
Home
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Away
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Alternate
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The tagging on these jerseys varied. Each jerseys had a numerical size tag and retail tag, even the team issued and game worns, and a material and size tag on the inside hip. The jerseys still included the Center Ice Authentic tag but the design varied.
Center Ice Authentic Tag 1
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Center Ice Authentic Tag 2
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Hip Tag
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Authentics and replicas were sold at retail while game worn jerseys were sold at HawkQuarters. There was a change with these jerseys, as the main crest was enlarged from the previous models. The Hawks would also change up the font for the name and numbers toward the end of these jersey's life cycle. The names would become more compact and the numbers would get fatter. The shoulder patches would remain the same on both jerseys, but with the success the NHL had on the throwback jerseys they decided to implement a third jersey system in the 1996-97 season. The Hawks would introduce their thirds halfway through the 1996-97 season. These alternates would have the same shoulder patches as the away jerseys. The Hawks would wear these alternate jerseys only 10 times in the 1996-97 season, 14 times in the 1997-98 season, and 15 times in the 1998-99 season.
Main Crest Size Difference
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Alternate Shoulder Patch
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No special patches were worn during the period of these jerseys.
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Team History |
1996-1997: Another team packs their bags as the Winnipeg Jets are relocated to Phoenix, AZ to become the Phoenix Coyotes. The Hawks would slowly continue their decline as star player Jeremy Roenick is traded to the Coyotes for Alexei Zhamnov, Craig Mills, and a 1st round pick. There was a dispute around salary and Wirtz did not want to pay what Roenick was worth. Not wanting to lose him to free agency, future Hall of Famer Ed Belfour would also be traded midway through the season to the Sharks for Ulf Dahlen, Michal Sykora, and Chris Terreri. Still coached by Craig Hartsburg and led by Captain Chris Chelios, the Hawks finished the season 5th in the Central Division, 8th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 34-35-13 (W-L-T). Amonte would lead scoring this year with 77pts followed by Alexei Zhamnov (62pts), Chelios (48pts), and Eric Daze (41pts). Chelios would be named to the 2nd All Star Team. The Hawks would have a short post season, losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. The Red Wings would go on to the Stanley Cup Final to sweep the Philadelphia Flyers for their first cup in 41 years.
1997-1998: So much expansion! The league approves expansion into four more US cities; Coumbus, OH, Atlanta, GA (again), St. Paul, MN (again), and Nashville, TN. Another team on the move as well as the beloved Hartford Whalers are relocated to North Carolina to become the Carolina Hurricanes. Denis Savard also retired at the end of last season. On March 18, 1998, the Hawks would officially retire his number. Still coached by Craig Hartsburg and led by Captain Chris Chelios, the Hawks finished the season 5th in the Central Division, 9th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 30-39-13 (W-L-T). Amonte would lead scoring again this year with 73pts followed by Zhamnov (49pts) and Chelios, Suter, and Daze would tie for third (42pts). The Hawks would miss the post season for the first time in 29 years. The Red Wings would go on to the Stanley Cup Final again and AGAIN sweep the opposing Washington Capitals for back to back titles.
1998-1999: WAYNE IS LEAVING THE BUILDING! Wayne Gretzky would officially announce this as his last season playing in the NHL. As such, this season would be the Wayne Tour with every city trying to see him play one last time. The Nashville Predators would also officially enter the league this season. With this, the NHL would change up the divisions yet again. The Eastern Conference would now include the Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast Divisions. The Western Conference would now include the Central, Northwest, and Pacific Divisions. Craig Hartsburg would get the ax this season and the Hawks would hire former captain Dirk Graham as head coach. As the Hawks continued their decline, Graham would only coach 59 games before being replaced by Lorne Molleken. To try and boost morale, the Hawks signed future Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour to try and revitalize the failing franchise. Still led by Captain Chris Chelios, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 10th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 29-41-12 (W-L-T). Amonte would lead scoring AGAIN this year with 75pts followed by Zhamnov (61pts), Doug Gilmour (56pts), and Daze (42pts). The Hawks would miss the post season for the second season in a row. The Dallas Stars would go on to the Stanley Cup Final to face the Buffalo Sabres and take the series to 6 games with a controversial goal in the 3rd overtime. This would be the Stars', and former Hawk Ed Belfour's, first Stanley Cup.
1997-1998: So much expansion! The league approves expansion into four more US cities; Coumbus, OH, Atlanta, GA (again), St. Paul, MN (again), and Nashville, TN. Another team on the move as well as the beloved Hartford Whalers are relocated to North Carolina to become the Carolina Hurricanes. Denis Savard also retired at the end of last season. On March 18, 1998, the Hawks would officially retire his number. Still coached by Craig Hartsburg and led by Captain Chris Chelios, the Hawks finished the season 5th in the Central Division, 9th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 30-39-13 (W-L-T). Amonte would lead scoring again this year with 73pts followed by Zhamnov (49pts) and Chelios, Suter, and Daze would tie for third (42pts). The Hawks would miss the post season for the first time in 29 years. The Red Wings would go on to the Stanley Cup Final again and AGAIN sweep the opposing Washington Capitals for back to back titles.
1998-1999: WAYNE IS LEAVING THE BUILDING! Wayne Gretzky would officially announce this as his last season playing in the NHL. As such, this season would be the Wayne Tour with every city trying to see him play one last time. The Nashville Predators would also officially enter the league this season. With this, the NHL would change up the divisions yet again. The Eastern Conference would now include the Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast Divisions. The Western Conference would now include the Central, Northwest, and Pacific Divisions. Craig Hartsburg would get the ax this season and the Hawks would hire former captain Dirk Graham as head coach. As the Hawks continued their decline, Graham would only coach 59 games before being replaced by Lorne Molleken. To try and boost morale, the Hawks signed future Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour to try and revitalize the failing franchise. Still led by Captain Chris Chelios, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 10th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 29-41-12 (W-L-T). Amonte would lead scoring AGAIN this year with 75pts followed by Zhamnov (61pts), Doug Gilmour (56pts), and Daze (42pts). The Hawks would miss the post season for the second season in a row. The Dallas Stars would go on to the Stanley Cup Final to face the Buffalo Sabres and take the series to 6 games with a controversial goal in the 3rd overtime. This would be the Stars', and former Hawk Ed Belfour's, first Stanley Cup.
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Player History |
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Éric Dazé: What a boy! 6'6" and 235 lbs of beef! Well despite his size he was not a physical player. He was actually a goal scorer. Born in Montreal, QC, Dazé would play 3 seasons in the QMJHL before being drafted 90th overall to the Blackhawks in 1993. Despite having a strong junior career, Dazé was drafted low because many scouts doubted his skating and physical ability despite his size. Dazé would join the Hawks at the end of the 1994-95 lockout season where would score a couple points during the regular season and help the team during the playoffs to the Western Conference Finals. He would remain a Hawk for his entire career which unfortunately ended earlier than he wanted due to back problems. He would only play in the first period of the season opener in the 2005-06 season as the back pain was too much. He would undergo three surgeries for herniated discs but the pain would still remain. Even through all that he still wouldn't give up and tried to return to play multiple times. Eventually it was too much and he would announce his retirement in 2010.
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Well unfortunately there's not too many videos online about him but you can check out this video of Steve Sullivan and Dazé's DUELING HAT TRICKS against the Bruins. Also, Dazé was the cause of the famous Dale Tallon and Pat Foley WEE KNEE breakdown. Dazé was not just a goal scorer but he was consistent as well. He would score 20+ goals almost every season in the 11 seasons he was with the Hawks. 4 of those seasons he scored 30+. He would make the NHL All Rookie Team his first year in the NHL and would only play in one All Star Game in 2002. He would actually be named the game MVP which hasn't happened to a Blackhawk since Bobby Hull in 1971. Despite his injuries, Dazé would still play 601 games over his 11 seasons racking up 226 goals and 398 points over that span. Dazé would represent Canada internationally winning a gold medal in the 1995 IIHF World Junior Championship and would play for the IIHF World Championship teams in 1998 and 1999.
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Denis Savard: An all time Hawks legend! He currently sits 5th in all time goals, 2nd in all time assists, and 3rd in all time points with the Blackhawks. Born in Pointe Gatineau, QC, Savard would spend some time in the QMJHL before being drafted 3rd overall by the Blackhawks in 1980. At the time this was the highest overall pick the Hawks had received. Savard would start with the Hawks in 1980 having a great rookie year scoring 75 points in 76 games. He would spend the next 10 seasons with the Hawks before his relationship with head coach Mike Keenan went sour and he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Chris Chelios and a second round pick. He went on to have great success with his 3 seasons with the Canadiens winning the Stanley Cup in 1993! He would sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning next season in free agency where he spent a season and a half before being traded back to the Blackhawks during the 1993-94 season for a sixth round pick. Reunited with the Hawks, Savard would finish his career in Chicago by officially retiring in 1997. The next season, the Hawks would retire his number cementing him as an all time great!
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Savard was more of a play maker than a goal scorer but he still knew how to tuck them away with his Spin-O-Rama. In 17 seasons Savard would play 1196 games, scoring 473 goals and 1338 points. He scored 30+ goals 4 seasons in a row followed by 40+ goals 3 seasons in a row and then 20+ goals 4 season in a row. He would break the 100 point mark five times. He would bring his elite scoring to the post season as well scoring 66 goals and 175 points in 169 games. He wasn't one to shy away from the physical side of things having 5 100+PIM seasons and 1336 PIMs throughout his regular season career and 256 PIMs in the post season. Despite a stellar career, Savard only won the Stanley Cup once (only like it's not a big deal) and unfortunately did not even play in the clinching game after suffering an ankle fracture. He would be selected to 9 All Star Games in 1982-84, 1986, 1988-91, and 1996.
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He holds the Hawks franchise record for most points in a season (131) and besides being cemented in Blackhawks history, Savard holds the #29 spot for all time points in the NHL and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000. Surprisingly enough, Savard never played internationally but he did begin coaching shortly after his retirement. He would be an assistant coach with the Blackhawks until taking over as interim head coach in the 2006-07 season after coach Trent Yawney was let go. He would take over as full time head coach taking the Hawks to 3 points of a playoff berth and a 40 win season which was the first time the Hawks had reached in 6 years. He would coach only 4 games during the 2008-09 season as Joel Quenneville would take over. Today Savard is an ambassador for the Blackhawks.
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Edward "Eddie" Olczyk Jr.: For all you young hockey players out there, Eddie Olczyk actually had a fantastic player career before having a fantastic announcing career. Born in Chicago, IL, Olcyzk spent time in the juniors in Canada and with the US International team before he was selected 3rd overall by the Black Hawks in the 1984 draft. He would make an immediate impact on the team scoring 20 goals and 50 points in his first full season with the Hawks. Over the next three seasons he would a part of the "Clydesdale Line" with Blackhawk great Troy Murray and Curt Fraser. This line was named by the hall of famer Pat Foley as each player would weigh in at or over 200 pounds. Olczyk was a journeyman though in the NHL. In 1987, he and Al Secord would be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, and Bob McGill. He would spend just over 3 seasons with the Leafs as he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1990 with Mark Osborne for Dave Ellett and Paul Fenton. He would spend just over 2 seasons with the Jets before being traded again to the New York Rangers in 1992 for Kris King and Tie Domi. He would start to get bit by the injury bug here though and ended up missing most of the 1993-94 season from a thumb injury. He still managed to win the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994 though, playing in only Game 6 of the conference finals. He would get traded shortly after this season back to the Jets for a fifth round pick in the 1995 draft and would only spend an additional season with the Jets before signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1996. He would not finish the season with the Kings as we would be traded yet again to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Glen Murray. He would spend one more season with the Penguins before signing with the Blackhawks in 1998, having a short stint with the Chicago Wolves in the IHL, and retiring with the Blackhawks in 2000.
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What a journey, you'd think a guy that can score 20-30 goals would stick around on a team longer. Olcyzk was also a versatile player. Offensively he could slot in any position. Getting injured constantly though probably didn't help. He would still go on to play 16 seasons in the NHL. Olczyk would play in 1031 games, scoring 342 goals, and 794 points. He would score 20+ goals in 5 seasons, 30+ in 3 seasons, and a career high 42 goals in 1 season. He would see a decent amount of the postseason doing just as well playing in 57 games while scoring 19 goals and 34 points. Olczyk was definitely not a goon, but he saw his way to the penalty box a decent amount with 874 PIMs in the regular season and 57 PIMS in the postseason. He would only get 100+ PIMs in the 1986-87 season. He did not win too many personal accolades though, but he did win the Stanley Cup in 1994.
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Olcyzk played a great amount internationally as well. He would represent the US playing in the 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1993 IIHF World Championship. He would play in the Canada Cup in 1984, 1987, and won silver in 1991. He would also play in the 1984 Olympic Games. Post retirement, Olcyzk would find his way back to Pittsburgh for a color commentary role on their broadcast team. He would then find himself on their bench to coach the Penguins for the 2003-04 season, but was let go in the 2005-06 season after a poor start. He would find his way home and back into the booth with the Blackhawks in 2006-07 where his color commentating career would really take off. Olcyzk and Pat Foley would become one of the best, if not the best, broadcasting duos in the NHL. Olcyzk would continue to garner recognition, earning him national broadcasting roles with NBC, TNT, and he would even be featured in the NHL video games. He would start to gather rewards here winning two Emmy's in 2009 and 2012 and the Ring Lardner Award in 2002. He was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and was honored to be inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. Olcyzk had to take some time off during 2017 as he had been diagnosed with a form of colon cancer, but was deemed cancer free as of 2018. Unfortunately, my favorite broadcasting duo eventually had to move on. With Pat Foley retiring in 2022, and with much strife in the Blackhawks front office, Olcyzk decided to cut ties and is currently color commentating for the Seattle Kraken.
