Marcus Pettersson’s Trade to Vancouver and Subsequent Return to Warrior

Marcus Pettersson’s trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Vancouver Canucks wasn’t just a major move for his career. It also signaled a dramatic shift in his hockey equipment preferences. Pettersson, recently known as a dedicated Bauer user, has been making an unexpected transition back to Warrior gear since arriving in Vancouver.

For the past two seasons with the Penguins, Pettersson was a staple in Bauer equipment from head to toe. Every visible piece of his gear, including his visor and hockey pants, was Bauer-branded. But this wasn’t always the case, as prior to his Bauer transition, he had been a Warrior user. However, at the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, when the Penguins kicked off their training camp, it became evident that he had fully committed to Bauer, swapping out his remaining Warrior items for a complete Bauer setup.

Everything changed in an instant though when Pettersson was traded to the Canucks a few weeks ago. At his very first practice with his new team, he was spotted using a Warrior stick, a noticeable departure from his Bauer preference in Pittsburgh. This wasn’t just a one-time experiment though, as he continued using the Warrior stick in his first game with Vancouver and beyond.

Not long after, he took another step toward fully embracing Warrior gear again. A pair of Canucks-colored Warrior gloves appeared in his setup, marking another departure from his previous Bauer allegiance. Then, most recently, he made an even more significant change with his helmet. Pettersson has now been seen wearing Warrior helmets in all three of Vancouver’s uniform colors: white, blue, and black.

At the time of writing, his hockey pants remain Bauer, but given the trend, it seems highly likely that he will make the switch to Warrior pants in the near future. Given how quickly and decisively he has transitioned back to Warrior, it wouldn’t be surprising if this change happens within the coming days.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Pettersson’s gear transformation is the timing. It is incredibly rare for an NHL player to be traded and then immediately overhaul their equipment brand. Typically, players stick with their trusted brands, even after switching teams. That makes Pettersson’s decision all the more fascinating and raises several questions:

·       Was he never officially under contract with Bauer this season, allowing him the freedom to switch?

·       Did the Vancouver market or team dynamics play a role in influencing his move back to Warrior?

·       Was he simply more comfortable in Warrior gear all along but had been using Bauer due to past commitments?

Unfortunately, much of the reasoning behind these choices remains behind closed doors. Equipment sponsorships and personal preferences are often not disclosed to the public, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact motivation behind Pettersson’s return to Warrior.

While players have certainly changed equipment brands throughout their careers, it’s nearly unheard of for a player to be traded and then almost immediately revamp their gear setup. This makes Pettersson’s situation all the more unique and worth keeping an eye on. Whether he continues this transition to Warrior for the rest of his time in Vancouver remains to be seen.

As the season progresses, fans and gear enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if the last piece of the puzzle, his pants, follows suit. For now, Pettersson’s sudden gear shift stands as one of the most unexpected developments in recent NHL hockey equipment memory.

Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick