Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens: “I’m lucky to wear one of the most iconic jerseys [Montreal Canadiens] in sports, and any time you put it on is really special. Fanatics’ design of the jersey looks amazing, feels great and I can’t wait to wear them next season.”

Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks: “I love the jerseys. The Canucks logo really pops on them, and the fabric feels airy and breathable. They’re really just beautiful jerseys.”

“From very early in this process, Fanatics has kept their commitment to partnering with the players in the transition to the new on-ice jersey,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “I am very thankful to Michael Rubin and the staff in Fanatics’ hockey department, for taking the time and expense to travel to NHL rinks to get players’ first-hand input on the fit and feel of their most iconic piece of equipment.”

Fanatics has also created an elevated and enhanced retail portfolio of authentic and replica jerseys. For the first time in a decade, fans can now purchase the authentic on-ice jersey, the identical jersey made in Canada and worn by their favorite teams and players every game. Fans will now be able to shop four distinct Fanatics jersey categories – Authentic Pro, Premium (equivalent to the highest level of retail jersey that exists now), Breakaway (the existing Fanatics fan jersey) and a new retail version of the Practice jersey.

While the new Fanatics NHL jerseys will be given to players selected at the 2024 NHL Draft, the retail versions and additional apparel – including a new line of NHL fan gear that is meticulously crafted in Canada – will be available across online and physical retail locations starting in September closer to the start of the 2024-25 NHL season.

Additional Executive Quotes

Andrew Low Ah Kee, Fanatics Commerce CEO

“We are honored to be the official uniform partner of the NHL. We take seriously our responsibility to outfit these world-class athletes with the highest quality products and drive innovation in response to their needs. We are also excited that, for the first time in a decade, fans will be able to own the authentic, on-ice jerseys which are made in Canada and worn by their favorite teams and players.”

Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Branding Officer and Senior Executive Vice President

“Our firm intention is to maintain our uniforms as the best uniforms in all of sports, and we are in good hands with Fanatics. We’re excited to unveil our new uniforms and showcase Fanatics’ design capabilities when we unveil the uniforms for next season’s marquee events including the Winter Classic, Stadium Series and 4 Nations Face-Off. With Fanatics as both the official outfitter of our on-ice uniforms and the engine behind our e-commerce and retail operations, licensed fan merchandise and performance gear, we can serve our players and fans better than ever before.”

AUDUBON, N.J. (CBS) — Audubon, New Jersey, often hailed as one of the most patriotic small towns in America, was recently shaken by an act of vandalism targeting American flags.

Residents of the town, where the star-spangled banner proudly waves from street poles and decorates front yards, were dismayed when multiple flags were vandalized late Monday night. News of the incident quickly spread throughout the borough, sparking concern among neighbors.

“Not patriotic at all and just against the American way,” said Joe Miller, president-elect of the Audubon Rotary Club.

Dr. Patrick Brown, an Audubon resident, speculated that the perpetrators were likely youths who didn’t grasp the gravity of their actions. 

“There’s never drama here,” he said. “To desecrate a flag … I think it was probably some teenagers or mischievous kids.”

Authorities from the Audubon Police Department are investigating the incidents involving flags that were uprooted, broken and even burned at the corner of East Lake Drive and Kings Highway. 

These flags were part of a larger community effort led by the Audubon Rotary Club. Every year, from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July, club members organize the display of 100 flags to honor local heroes, including veterans and first responders. Each flag is sponsored by a community member who contributes a $50 donation.

“It’s personal to me because it’s a clear sign of disrespect to those heroes,” Hunter Taylor said. 

For residents like Steve Rossi, finding the flag dedicated to his late father, a WWII veteran, untouched was a relief. 

“We lost my father in March this year, that’s why this year we put a flag up to honor him,” Rossi said.

While the police have not yet determined a motive for the vandalism, Miller suggested that it might reflect the heightened political tensions in the country. 

“The political climate we’re in is so divisive right now … you can almost see that this is somewhat due to that,” he said. “But in the end … it’s not even a political stance. It’s just violence and hate.”

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online gaming dispute made its way to the real world when a New Jersey man flew to Florida to attack another player with a hammer, authorities said.

Edward Kang, 20, is charged with attempted second-degree murder and armed burglary with a mask, according to Nassau County court records. He was arrested early Sunday morning.

“I just want to let you know, this is a weird one,” Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said during a news conference on Monday. “Some things you just can’t make up.”

Kang and the victim, another young man around the same age as Kang, had never met in real life, but they both played ArcheAge, a medieval fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Leeper said. The game’s publisher announced in April that it would be shutting down servers in Europe and North America on June 27, citing a declining number of active players.

Kang flew from Newark, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida, last Thursday after telling his mother that he was going to visit a friend that he had met while playing a video game, officials said. Officials didn’t say how Kang learned where the victim lives. Upon arrival, Kang took an Uber to a hotel in Fernandina Beach, about 35 miles north of Jacksonville, and then bought a hammer at a local hardware store, deputies said.

Kang went to the victim’s Fernandina Beach home, which was unlocked, around 2 a.m. Sunday, authorities said. The victim was walking out of his bedroom when he was confronted by Kang, who hit him on the head with the hammer, officials said. The two struggled as the victim called for help. His stepfather responded and helped to restrain Kang until police arrived.

The victim suffered several head wounds that were not considered life-threatening, officials said. He received staples at the hospital.

Once in custody, Kang told investigators that the victim is a “bad person online,” officials said. He also asked deputies how much jail time people got for breaking and entering and assault.

“I would say Mr. Kang, it’s going to be a long time before you play video games again,” Leeper said.

Online court records didn’t list an attorney for Kang. He was being held without bond.