The Saskatchewan Rush, who play in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), have unveiled a new uniform that may be one of the most visually daring (and bright) kits in recent memory.
The team’s colors are black, white, and a very vibrant shade of green (and play on a bright surface that matches the green of their uniforms). Even their white road uniforms are awash in an almost neon green shade.
So when the Rush debuted a new uniform yesterday — dubbed “Rush Reimagined” — it definitely pushed the bounds of uniform design to eleven.
The uniforms were designed by Saskatchewan graphic artist Isaac Thomas (more on that in a minute). The team put together a hype video for the uniform, so let’s start with that:
full kit 🤌 pic.twitter.com/b6EBGJEUDJ
— Saskatchewan Rush (@SaskRushLAX) March 12, 2025
As you can see there is a LOT going on here. Thomas has created a rich tapestry surrounding the team’s bison head logo. Various flora and fauna are prevalent thoughtout the jersey, which has a black base. Lots of green, gray and white pervade the jersey and shorts, creating nature scenes. The flowers are all local to the area, including the prairie lily which is featured in the center of the jersey.
But rather than my trying to describe it, let’s hear directly from Isaac Thomas, the uniform’s designer.
In that video, Thomas notes, “I usually do linework illustration and that’s what I stuck to here. I chose the flowers because they’re all native to Saskatchewan specifically, especially the prairie lily in the center. Keeping the same line weight and everything across all the panels was very important to me. The way that the bison shoulders are the most prominent part when you’re looking at one, so I wanted the players to kind of be that way also.”
The details are incredible. Here are a few looks at individual sections of the jersey.
More detail photos below:
Despite all the detail, Thomas manages to work in the RUSH wordmark on the sleeve, and white numbers on the sleeve and back are clearly visible.
I am not normally a fan of sublimation, but this is one instance where it would be impossible to create the designs without it. As Thomas explains, part of the design’s appeal is his ability to “keep the same line weight” across the entire canvas. While the design overall appears busy (and indeed, from distance it may be difficult to discern all the patterns), it also has a wonderful flow that fits well together. I’m also certain that part of the uniform’s appeal — at least to me — is the use of the bright green shade. I’ve never been a fan of teams that use dark colors, or common ones like blue and red, so I’m naturally drawn to the Rush’s outstanding combination of black, white and green.
The Rush will wear these uniforms for one game, on March 29th against the Colorado Mammoth.
When the team unveiled these uniforms yesterday, I asked CUUW (Canadian University Uni Watcher) Wade Heidt his thoughts, as he’s somewhat local and I always appreciate his perspective. Here’s what he said:
They do wear a lot of specialty, one-off jerseys in National Lacrosse League. It appears that they are wearing them in-game on March 29.
Saskatchewan Rush is an interesting franchise. They play in Saskatoon (the CFL Roughriders are in Regina). The NLL is basically the biggest pro game in town in Saskatoon, which isn’t usually the case with other NLL clubs. They draw well in the league for attendance and are a small market (similar to how the Roughriders draw in Regina).
Before I render a full opinion of the kits, I’d love to see them in action. But from what I see so far, I like it. I wouldn’t want the team to wear these uniforms for every home game, but as a one-off? Yes, please, and thank you!
Your thoughts?
Very cool!
That’s a no from me, dawg.
I appreciate the artistry, and by appreciate, I mean jealous as hell at the skill.
This is just too busy to appreciate all of those details.
A lot of respect for the artist and the very detailed design but it is far too busy for my taste.
Fantastic. Strong design elements and good usage of color. Jersey’s will always evolve- I’d rather they evolve in this natural way (local artist, local imagery) than some canned Black and White uniform with some dumb alternate mark or slogan created miles away by a graphic guy at a uniform company. This feels authentic.
Man that is so cool looking, need to see how it looks all together on the field, but I am a big fan of teams trying out new looks!
This is so great! In general, lacrosse uni design struggles to impress me simply because, more than most other sports, lacrosse unis just look unintentional and misfit. This, however is such a good design, both off the uni, and in the context of a sport that’s still a little off-beat and niche. Take chances while you can, I say. Now, if the shorts were solid black or bright green, maybe with some thick striping down the sides, that would actually make the top pop even more than it does and give it that pro feel. The Seattle Kraken would do well to try something this bold.
I bet fans will buy a lot of them, as well they should. I would, if I had any Saskatchewan ties. In a less mobile, up-close, off-field context, they’re cool as hell.
“I asked CUUW (Canadian University Uni Watcher) Wade Heidt his thoughts, as he’s somewhat local and I always appreciate his perspective.”
I appreciate the kind words Phil! Somewhat local is a good way to describe it. I am a born and bred Saskatchewan product. Don’t live there now but make my way back to Regina when I can. I may have never lived in Saskatoon, but I have spent many nights there over the years!
Even having no ties to Saskatchewan, or any real interest in the NLL, I will definitely look into to purchasing one of these