DENVER — Artist Jazz Holmes put her own signature on a Colorado Avalanche jersey for Black History Month, highlighting Black excellence in hockey as part of the Avs' new "Jersey Artist" series.
Holmes said when the Avalanche reached out about creating a jersey in celebration of Black history, she knew she wanted to highlight a Black NHL player. She said finding one with ties to Colorado limited her options in ways she didn't expect.
"When I was asked, I realized I didn’t know a single hockey player that was Black," Holmes recalled. "That didn’t even pop into my head. I can name a couple famous hockey players, but none of them are Black people and that’s a huge issue for me, because you don’t feel like you have a connection to that sport and you should. 'Cause they exist and they're out there."
Holmes decided on Jarome Iginla, an Avs player from 2014 to 2017, who scored his 600th goal on Colorado ice while wearing number 12.
"All the pictures I saw of him, he just seems like a really happy person," Holmes said. "Like he’s just smiling all the time, making jokes, and that’s just a really cool energy that I want on the jersey."
Holmes' jersey was displayed in the concourse at Ball Arena from Feb. 18 through the end of the month. The artist herself was recognized at the Feb. 24 game during both of the intermissions.
"I learned a lot more about hockey. I don't know a lot and I've learned so much," Holmes said. "I've learned so much of the culture of the Avalanche and how much Colorado loves their team. It's just so cool to see so many people here being a part of it."
Avs Vice President of Marketing Meredith Lavery said Holmes' jersey, along with other jerseys designed in the "Jersey Artist" series, will be displayed at the end of the hockey season.
"I'm glad everyone seems to like it," Holmes said.
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