The Salmon Arm Silverbacks sported a new look at Monday afternoon’s game, Feb. 19, as they debuted the winning submission from their 2023 Jersey Design contest.
The challenge, announced last February, received about 40 submissions for consideration by Silverbacks staff and promotion sponsors Acuity Advisors, with Janessa Wilson’s design emerging as the winner.
Wilson, in Grade 11, created an Indigenous inspired, ombré orange jersey featuring stylized fish on the sleeves and the outline of trees along the back. It was chosen by a judging panel made up of Silverbacks staff and the owners of Acuity Advisors LLP that sponsored the promotion.
The Silverbacks will wear the jerseys on the ice for two regular-season games, and then the broken-in attire will be auctioned off online with the proceeds going to the charity of the designer’s choice, with Wilson having chosen Rise Up Indigenous Wellness.
The Salmon Arm based organization addresses gaps in services for indigenous youth and families, with mentorship, family support, land stewardship and outdoor learning camps the main areas of focus.
The auction will run until Feb. 20 online at www.32auctions.com/silverbacksorange, with starting bids set at $125 and increasing in increments of $5. Any jerseys that aren’t sold at auction will then go to the team’s merchandise store, with proceeds still going to Rise Up.
This is the team’s first such initiative, and general manager Brooks Christensen said it’s yet to be determined if they’ll do it again.
“We figured we should see how it goes and then discuss doing another one next year,” he said.
Monday’s game versus the Penticton Vees at Shaw Centre ended with the Silverbacks winning 3-2 in overtime.
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