Creating Winter Classic jerseys for the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken presented a unique challenge for the NHL and Adidas. Traditionally, the jerseys for the NHL’s annual outdoor game draw inspiration from the history of the teams involved. However, being the most recent expansion franchises, Vegas and Seattle do not have a rich NHL history to draw from. In order to overcome this challenge, the NHL and Adidas imagined what these teams might have worn in the 1910s or 1920s and collaborated on refining the designs.
The Seattle Kraken had an advantage in designing their Winter Classic jerseys. The city had a team called the Metropolitans from 1915 to 1924, which became the first U.S.-based team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917. The Kraken’s jerseys draw inspiration from the Metropolitans’ design, featuring an updated version of the barber pole striping in Kraken Midnight Blue, Ice Blue, and Red Alert. The off-white color of the jersey is intended to evoke the textiles used a century ago. Furthermore, the Kraken logo has been modified to resemble that of the Metropolitans, with the tentacle removed and replaced by the word “KRAKEN.” The placement of the letters proved to be a challenge, as it required careful consideration to ensure the design translated well on TV and in 2-D.
Unlike the Kraken jersey, the Vegas Golden Knights’ Winter Classic design is not based on any preexisting jersey. The gray “V” on the crest was inspired by the team’s primary logo and retains its proportions and angles. Additionally, the jersey features filigree petal accent shapes and a looping decorative chain stitch, reminiscent of the early days of Las Vegas showmanship and military patches. The Golden Knights’ regular jerseys have a shimmery gold color, but for the Winter Classic jersey, the gold was intentionally muted to create an Old West attitude. The vintage white color of the jersey further pays homage to the Old West.
Both jerseys feature logos made with felt, resembling old varsity jackets. The Golden Knights’ jersey includes a cursive “Vegas” on the back of the jersey and on the players’ pants. The team will also wear gloves that imitate the brown leather look of hockey’s past. The back neck collar of the jerseys includes Easter eggs, with Seattle’s displaying “1917” to honor the Metropolitans’ Stanley Cup win and Vegas having seven stars to commemorate the first day of the seventh year of the Golden Knights franchise on January 1, 2024.
To generate excitement around the Winter Classic jerseys, the NHL and Adidas took a unique approach this season. They enlisted “influencers” to wear the jerseys in unexpected places. For example, the Utah Jazz wore the Kraken jerseys while entering the arena, and All Elite Wrestling personality Renee Paquette debuted the Vegas jersey while her broadcast partner RJ City sported the Seattle sweater. This strategy aimed to generate discussion and debates among fans about the jerseys.
The NHL Winter Classic jerseys are available for purchase on the NHL and Adidas e-commerce websites. However, this marks the final season for Adidas as the NHL’s outfitter of on-ice uniforms and authentic jerseys. Starting from the 2024-25 season, Fanatics will assume this role. Despite the transition, the NHL praised Adidas for its partnership over the past eight years and commended their designs for the Winter Classic and outdoor game jerseys.
The process of creating Winter Classic jerseys for the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken presented a unique challenge due to the teams’ limited NHL history. However, by imagining what these teams might have worn in the early 20th century, the NHL and Adidas were able to design jerseys that pay homage to the past while still representing the identity of the modern teams. The inclusion of unique details and strategic marketing tactics helped build excitement among fans, ensuring that these Winter Classic jerseys will be an integral part of the teams’ history.
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