IceCaps wear jerseys commemorating Beaumont-Hamel

Nearly one hundred years after the tragedy at Beaumont-Hamel, the St. John's IceCaps are taking to the ice wearing jerseys honouring the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

The team will appear in the new jerseys this weekend as they face off against theUtica Cometsat Mile One Stadium.

Local graphic designer Troy Birmingham designed the new jersey, which replaces theIceCapslogo with a silhouette of a Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldier kneeling before a ridge.

The jersey keeps the team's colour palette, which is a reference to its parent club, the MontrealCanadiens.

Rob McCarthy, the manager of the team's merchandise shop,IceCaps Alley, said he can't keep the jerseys in stock.

He saidafter the store's initial order of 300 jerseys sold out, and it had to order200 more.

"It's a special moment in history ... and so people want to celebrate it this summer when they have the bigger event."

In the run up to the weekend, McCarthy said hespokewith several people involved with the military who dropped by to check out the jerseys.

"A lot of military people come in here and regale stories of what happenedand grandfathers that served in it," he said.

During Friday's game, the ShallawayYouthChoir performed the Ode to Newfoundland, and a special version of the video for the Ennis Sisters songSing You Homewas shown.

Videos played throughout the game showedIceCaps players learning about the history of the Regimentand making commemorativeforget-me-nots in honour of the fallen soldiers.

Although the tragedy occurred long ago, it's had a lasting affect on people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Lt.-Col. Paul Furlong ofthe 1st Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regimentsaid he's pleased to see the IceCapshonour the troops.

"I've been a member of the regiment for over 30 yearsand it's become like a second family to me," he said.

"I'm very,very proud of the IceCaps, that they've took the initiative, and their team is wearing the commemorative jerseys."