With the Blackhawks and Blues revealing their Winter Classic jerseys, we revisit and rank the most iconic designs in NHL history.WE
If you haven’t checked the calendar yet, we’re quickly approaching the end of the year and stepping ahead toward the upcoming NHL Winter Classic. The latest outdoor game event is returning to Wrigley Field in Chicago after a decade, showcasing the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues in a rematch from the 2017 Winter Classic in St. Louis.
In addition to the game, the most thrilling aspect of the Winter Classic is observing the jerseys worn by each team, and we are getting our first glimpse of the Chicago and St. Louis jerseys for this year’s game on December 31 through Fanatics.
We will compare the new jerseys to past Winter Classic and rank them accordingly, despite how cool they are. Regarding fashion on the ice, the outfits for this year are not a disappointment, especially since both teams have participated in the Winter Classic in the past.
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Starting off at number 10, we have the latest uniforms for the St. Louis Blues. This is the Blues’ third appearance at the Winter Classic, and they are receiving a boost from their fresh and distinctive appearance.
We have previously seen this style from the Nashville Predators in the 2020 Winter Classic, featuring a script design instead of a logo crest. The Blues have made a daring decision to use their iconic blue note logo in their past two Winter Classic games in 2017 and 2022, showcasing throwback jerseys. This time they chose a different path.
This jersey is likely to receive heavy criticism from fans, but straying from the norm and being innovative is commendable, despite our usual preference for teams to stick to traditional designs. In the end, it’s tough to try something fresh and unique. Compared to the rest of the Blues jersey history, this one stands out as unique.
Referring to the 2020 Winter Classic, the Dallas Stars, who were the hosts, did an exceptional job with their green jerseys.
This jersey honored Dallas’s hockey history and affirmed its nickname as “Big D.” The team’s name was emphasized by a large letter “D” with the word “Stars” going through it and the letter “A” replaced by a star.
Honoring the city’s hockey legacy was a smart decision as many fans were previously unaware of the sport being played in Dallas or Texas prior to the Stars relocating in the 1990s. A stylish jersey and an education credit? Certainly, We would like to.
The Boston Bruins have participated in several Winter Classics, but it is their jerseys from their debut in 2010 at Fenway Park that are the standout favorites.
The classic spoked-B emblem, with the round letter “B,” is prominent on the front, but it is overshadowed by the abundance of yellow in the design. A yellow jersey with brown and white stripes shouldn’t appear so attractive. Despite the color scheme, this looks like it belongs in a different era but surprisingly fits well in a contemporary environment.
The Bruins could have easily chosen to wear a black and yellow jersey for their next Winter Classic games, which they did, enhancing the appeal of this jersey in hindsight. Yellow is not always effective, but in this situation, it was a perfect fit.
During the Winter Classic, the Philadelphia Flyers have played it safe by showcasing their iconic logo on the front in both of their appearances. In 2012, they hosted the Winter Classic once more but this time utilized a hue of orange that achieved a timeless appearance.
But the photo emphasizes what made these Flyers unique. The letters for the captain and alternate captain were arranged in a keystone shape, a nod to Pennsylvania being the Keystone State, giving it a very local feel.
The Flyers are most recognized for their perfect logo and vibrant orange color, which they fully embrace. It’s the combination of the orange and black colors that truly defines the Flyers, along with their penchant for defeating any challenger who crosses their path.
They and the New York Rangers provided an unforgettable conclusion to a Winter Classic by having Henrik Lundqvist block Danny Brière’s penalty shot in the last moments, securing their victory.
Despite being a new team in the NHL, the Seattle Kraken drew inspiration from ancient sources when designing their jerseys for the Winter Classic they hosted a year ago.
The Kraken’s appearance drew inspiration from the 1910s Seattle Metropolitans, featuring horizontal stripes and a salmon red Kraken logo in the center, with the team’s name written within the logo.
Many fans hoped the Kraken would embrace the Metropolitans style with their jerseys, and seeing it at the Winter Classic in modernized colors brought a nostalgic warmth, evoking memories of black and white photos and classic sweaters.
Seattle and Vegas playing in the Winter Classic satisfied fans with unique teams, but the Kraken stood out with their impressive jerseys, fulfilling everyone’s expectations.
Although Canadian teams don’t often participate in the Winter Classic, when they do, they always impress with their jerseys. When the Montréal Canadiens traveled to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to play against the Boston Bruins, they ensured that they had a memorable appearance.
The Canadiens’ white jerseys, with a stronger emphasis on blue over red, stood out in comparison to the Bruins’ predominantly black jerseys. Even though the Habs were playing as the visiting team, they performed exceptionally well in these jerseys and secured a 5-1 victory over the Bruins.
The jersey drew heavy inspiration from an early 1920s design, with the globe featured on the sleeves instead of the front crest, resulting in a distinctive and somewhat historical appearance. It is difficult to come up with something new for the Canadiens due to their history of keeping the same jersey, but they successfully did so in 2016.
Whenever the Winter Classic jerseys are ranked, the 2011 Pittsburgh Penguins version consistently receives high rankings, even though Pittsburgh fans are not fond of it.
The Penguins’ 2011 primetime battle with the Washington Capitals was one of the most visually appealing games in the event’s past. The Pens wore throwback-style jerseys incorporating elements from their history, while the Capitals sported classic 1970s and 80s throwback uniforms.
However, it was this navy blue shirt with light blue stripes and an extremely stylish circular Penguins crest emblem that emerged victorious. This jersey, featuring a retro-style number font, is a great blend of old and new and was so well-liked that the Penguins used it as an alternate for a brief period post Winter Classic.
Simply by observing it, you can see why it was so successful despite the negative atmosphere due to Sidney Crosby’s hit in the Winter Classic game.
The Chicago Blackhawks will participate in their fifth Winter Classic on December 31st against the Blues, showcasing their finest jerseys at Wrigley Field for the fans.
These newest jerseys are top-notch for Chicago. They possess all the elements that have made them one of the most iconic looks in hockey history, whether rightfully or wrongfully. It is the red shirt with black and white stripes, finished with the circular emblem on the chest. It closely resembles some of the original jerseys from Chicago’s past, yet it is completely new at the same time.
This Winter Classic jersey successfully combines a vintage aesthetic with a modern and trendy twist. Considering Connor Bedard is leading the charge, it was logical for the game to return to Chicago to rejuvenate past successes like winning Stanley Cups and building a dynasty.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs stepped onto the ice at Michigan Stadium in 2014, their identity was crystal clear.
The classic Maple Leafs logo on the front of the jersey, along with numerous white stripes, completed the iconic franchise’s look perfectly with the bluest color.
Toronto’s jerseys were nearly flawless for any game, but particularly for the Winter Classic, especially the one that took place in front of over 105,000 people, the event’s largest crowd ever.
The Leafs wear blue, the Red Wings wear red, and with a snow globe backdrop, this game is considered one of the most beautiful in NHL history. Although the Leafs performed well and won the game, the only team ranked higher was the one they played against.
The jerseys at the 2014 Winter Classic were top-notch, particularly the throwback-style sweaters worn by the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings jerseys had their famous winged wheel logo with “Detroit” written in a vintage script above it. The white cream lettering and stripes combined with the red gave the jerseys a vintage appearance, despite being completely new for the game.
Watching the Red Wings play the Maple Leafs in colored jerseys made us excited for more of this in the NHL season, but our hopes have not been fulfilled.
Yet, these Red Wings uniforms were and remain the top choice in the Winter Classic, leaving us eager for another event to rival their greatness. Until someone else surpasses them, it is difficult to claim that the Wings are not at the top of this ranking.
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