Black, Red & White.

If you’ve been hanging around the local rinks lately, you may have noticed something exciting happening across the ice in Niagara Falls: our hockey teams are sporting a fresh new look. Everywhere you turn, it’s black, red, and white! That’s right—every major hockey association in town has jumped on board with the new color scheme. From the Niagara Falls Minor Hockey Association (NFMHA) Canucks to the Niagara Riverhawks, Niagara Rapids, and OJHL Canucks, it seems like this colour combo is now a Niagara Falls staple. And let’s be honest, it looks good.

But this isn’t just about matching sweaters for the sake of fashion (although that’s a bonus). These colours actually have a rich history in our town, and the journey to get here is almost as fun as watching an overtime game-winning goal.

A Colourful History: From Flyers Gold to Canucks Pride

Let’s rewind the tape to the days of the OHL Flyers. Back then, black and gold were the colours of champions. The Flyers ruled the ice, and the local NFMHA followed suit, decked out in the same sleek black and yellow. But in the ever-evolving world of hockey, change is inevitable.

When the Flyers left town NFMHA soon adopted a new colour scheme and logo that closely resembled the NY Rangers of the NHL. NFMHA proudly wore the Blue, Red and White for different iterations of these sweaters for about a dozen years.

Cue the arrival of the OHL Thunder. Suddenly, black, red, and white made their grand entrance, and the NFMHA jumped aboard the Thunder train, swapping out their Rangers-inspired blue, red and white for the fierce new colours. It was a bold look, and it quickly became synonymous with grit and determination in our local hockey scene. When the Thunder left town in the late 90s, NFMHA continued to wear the staple Black, Red and White Sweaters. Although the Associations’ moniker changed through the years, at one point just a classic NF was used, and then a change to the Canucks there was a long stretch where the constant was the colours.

Then NFMHA decided to take a quick detour back to their roots, adopting the Flyers name and bringing back that classic black and gold. Yet, like a player trading in their old gear for something new and improved, the association found its way back to the now-iconic black, red, and white. Enter the NFMHA Canucks, proudly wearing the colours we now know and love.

The Rapids and Riverhawks: Two Teams, One Color Story

Now, let’s talk about the Niagara Rapids. Unlike some of the other teams in town, the Rapids have been rocking the black, red, and white look for years. It’s a timeless colour combo, and the Rapids have always kept it sharp, never straying from the winning formula.

On the other hand, the Niagara Riverhawks have had a bit more fun with their wardrobe changes over the years. When they first hit the scene, they went with a classic red and white look—clean, simple, and strong. But as they started to make waves (and win championships), black slowly crept into the mix. Then, in a bold move, the Riverhawks shifted to teal and black for a few seasons. It was cool and definitely turned heads, but fans must’ve missed the traditional look because the team recently rebranded for the 2023-2024 season. Now, they’re back in a mix of black, red, white, and a hint of silver—a nod to their past, but with a fresh new twist.

What’s Up With Black, Red, and White? Do These Colours Mean Something?

So, what’s the deal with these colours? Why is everyone in Niagara Falls suddenly sporting black, red, and white like it’s the new uniform for the whole city?

First off, these colours just look awesome. Black is bold. Red is passionate. White is clean and sharp. Together, they scream confidence, strength, and teamwork—everything you want in a hockey team, right?

But beyond that, these colours symbolize unity. Just like Pittsburgh has black and gold across all their major sports teams (and a boatload of championships to match), Niagara Falls is now a black, red, and white city. It’s a badge of honour, something players and fans alike can rally behind. It doesn’t matter if you’re a die-hard Canucks supporter, a Riverhawks superfan, or a Rapids loyalist—you’re part of the same family, repping the same colours, and standing tall for your city.

A Championship Future in Black, Red, and White?

Now that everyone’s looking sharp in the same colours, what’s next? Is it possible that this is more than just a fashion statement? Could this be a sign of championships to come?

The Niagara Riverhawks and NF Jr. B Canucks have already proven that black, red, and white look pretty good when you’re hoisting a trophy, and the other teams are hungry for their own moments of glory. . Maybe it’s the confidence boost from looking so united, or maybe these colours really do have some sort of magic to them.

One thing’s for sure: the future of hockey in Niagara Falls is looking bright. Whether it’s the Canucks, Riverhawks, Rapids, or OJHL Canucks, we’re all in this together. So, throw on your black, red, and white gear, and get ready to cheer. Because, like Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls might just become a city of champions, united by the colours we wear so proudly.

Here’s to the new era of Niagara Falls hockey—let’s make some memories (and hopefully raise some banners) in black, red, and white!