REPORT: Is This Sharks’ New Reverse Retro Logo?

Is this further confirmation that the San Jose Sharks will be looking to the California Golden Seals for their 2022-23 Reverse Retro jersey?

Chris Creamer of SportsLogo.net has spotted a new line of merchandise on Fanatics, called the “Special Edition” line:

Interestingly, these logos – like the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Todd McFarlane-designed Edmonton Oilers ones – fit with what’s been previously reported about what Anaheim and Edmonton’s new Reverse Retro jerseys will be inspired by.

“I’m not 100% positive this is part of the new NHL Reverse Retro line for 2022-23, but Fanatics is currently using that same ‘Special Edition’ tag for all of their leftover Reverse Retro stock from the 2020-21 season,” Creamer wrote. “So…that’s gotta mean something, right?”

Two weeks ago, icethetics reported that the San Jose Sharks would be taking from the Seals for their 2022-23 Reverse Retros.

REPORT: Golden Seals Will Inspire Sharks’ New Reverse Retro

And lo and behold, Fanatics is selling this “Special Edition” t-shirt that features “Sharks” in California Golden Seals colors, Pacific teal and gold, and similar typography.

(SJHN Note: This image was downloaded from the Fanatics’ product listing, but it appears that they’ve taken down the listing.)

The Seals were part of the NHL’s 1967-68 expansion, but they only used the “California Golden Seals” moniker from 1970 to 1976. Playing out of Oakland, they were also known as the California Seals and Oakland Seals and Bay Area Seals before the franchise moved to Cleveland in 1976. In 1991-92, the expansion San Jose Sharks kicked off a new era of NHL hockey in the Bay Area.