Sherwood To Sherwood?

After years of hard work and persistence, Kiefer Sherwood has appears to have now carved out a steady role in the National Hockey League. The Columbus, Ohio native just wrapped up his first full season with the Vancouver Canucks, setting a new career high with 40 points in 78 games.

It’s been quite the journey for the undrafted forward, who signed with the Anaheim Ducks in 2018 after three seasons of college hockey at Miami of Ohio. Since then, he has clearly put in the work to establish himself as an NHL regular. In 2023-24, he appeared in 68 games with the Nashville Predators before earning a two year contract as a free agent to join the Canucks.

Throughout his NHL career, Sherwood has consistently relied on CCM equipment, particularly when it comes to his sticks and gloves. However, during a recent offseason appearance in the Columbus-based Cap City Elite Hockey League, Sherwood caught the attention of equipment watchers. In late July, he was spotted wearing a pair of Sherwood Code Encrypt Pro gloves that were customized in Vancouver Canucks colors.

While one equipment choice in a summer league game doesn’t necessarily signal a permanent switch, the sighting has sparked speculation. Could Kiefer Sherwood be considering a move to a brand that shares his last name? For Sherwood Hockey, landing a player with their namesake would be a marketing dream, one sure to generate buzz among fans and equipment enthusiasts.

For years, gear aficionados have probably joked about the potential pairing ever since Sherwood first broke into the league. Now, there’s tangible evidence that such a connection could happen. With a few games remaining in the Cap City Elite League season, there’s still time for more surprises. Perhaps even a Rekker Morph Pro stick might even make its debut in the hands of the Canucks’ forward before the summer ends.

Whether it’s a genuine shift in brand loyalty or just an offseason experiment, the intrigue is real. Sherwood’s work ethic and growth as a player have been evident since leaving Miami of Ohio, and any change in equipment would only add another layer to his evolving story. 

As Vancouver’s training camp approaches, fans and gear watchers alike will be keeping a close eye to see if this summer sighting was a one-off or the start of a unique, name-matching partnership between player and brand.

For now, the combination of Kiefer Sherwood wearing Sherwood gloves is a fun, lighthearted storyline in the hockey offseason. It is a mix of high-level performance, personal branding potential, and a wink to those who follow the fine details of NHL gear choices. Sometimes, in hockey culture, those little details can be just as entertaining as the game itself.

Photo Credit: Jared Silber