If “Ontario Reign” sounds more like a weather forecast in Canada to you than an American Hockey League team in California, you’re not alone. But the AHL team in question has leaned into that confusion for a fun alternate identity.
For one night only on Sunday, December 15, the Ontario Reign became the Ontario Rain as they faced off against the San Jose Barracuda at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Usually decked out in black and silver to mimic their NHL parent club, the Los Angeles Kings, Sunday saw the “Rain” don white jerseys with light blue and black stripes on the shoulders, along with an Ontario provincial flag on the right shoulder.
Front and centre on the “Rain” jerseys was a logo of a white cloud wearing a crown with a gold maple leaf and a monocle while skating and holding a hockey stick. “Sir Cloudieton,” as he was dubbed, also appeared on merchandise that was available at Sunday’s game.
The jerseys also had light blue collars and light blue striping at the waist and cuffs. Numbers on the back and sleeves were one-color black, as were names on the back.
The jerseys were paired with white helmets, black pants and black gloves. The socks were white with the same light blue and black stripes as the shoulders.
The “Rain” also leaned into the newfound Canadianness of their alternate identity by offering poutine at concession stands and encouraging fans to wear their rain jackets. The jerseys brought good luck to the Reign, who rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat the Barracuda 5-4 in a shootout.
Game-worn jerseys were auctioned off along with player meet-and-greets after the game, with proceeds benefitting the team’s Hope Reigns Foundation.
