When a hockey player steps onto the ice, he or she looks like a gladiator preparing to go to battle inside a frozen arena. From head to toe, they’re encased in high-tech protective gear built from decades of tinkering and innovation. The most visible piece of this gear is the team’s uniform. The colorful sweaters that players wear are designed to keep them warm and comfortable while also helping them look their best.
The uniforms are a huge part of the game’s culture and tradition, and they can be a source of pride and controversy. From deciding which colors to use to what kind of patch or logo to display, each uniform carries with it a story that’s unique to the team and its history.
One of the most interesting aspects of hockey uniform is that it’s a lot more customizable than other sports uniforms. The fabric is so thick that it can be cut, embroidered and printed in ways that most other sports simply don’t have the space for. This makes for a lot of creativity when it comes to designing the jerseys and other pieces of equipment.
For instance, the New York Rangers wanted to try out a different color for their sweaters in 1946. However, the NHL wasn’t happy with the results and they went back to the familiar uniform that they still wear today. The Philadelphia Flyers attempted to start a similar trend in 1974 when they wanted to add the Stanley Cup patch to their jerseys. Again, the NHL wasn’t happy with this and they went back to their original uniforms.
Another issue with the uniforms is that they often have lots of advertising patches on them, which some fans find distracting. This is especially true when it comes to the NHL’s third jersey program, where teams have the option of wearing either a one-off “heritage” uniform or a full-time third jersey that features an advertisement. The RBC bank patch on the Canadiens’ third jerseys was a big example of this, and it sparked outrage among fans.
As the NHL celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the league is asking teams to put a hold on any major uniform overhauls. Outside of commemorative jerseys that have to be produced in a timely manner, the NHL wants teams to take a more measured approach to uniform changes in order to honor the league’s legacy. We spoke with Brian Jennings, the NHL’s executive vice president of marketing, and Doug Mack, the CEO of Fanatics commerce, to find out more about what the league is planning for its future.