Hockey and sweaters go hand in hand, intertwined in a rich history that dates back to the very beginning of the sport. Teams in the NHL are often identified by their iconic colours and unique patterns, which can range from classic to downright dreadful. In our annual series, we take a closer look at the best and worst sweaters in each team’s history. Today, we turn our attention to the Philadelphia Flyers and explore the evolution of their jerseys over the years.
The Flyers are known for being the first team to embrace orange as a primary colour, with their logo featuring a black-winged “P” turned on its side. The orange dot in the middle of the logo has remained a consistent feature since the team’s inception. The original sweater, introduced in 1967, remained largely unchanged until 1982. With its clean design and white shoulder yokes, this timeless jersey represents the era of the legendary “Broad Street Bullies.”
One of the standout sweaters in Flyers history is the black alternate jersey that made its debut during the “Legion of Doom” era in the late 1990s. Featuring a palette swap of the traditional orange jersey, this black uniform became a fan favorite. The popularity of the black jersey eventually led to it becoming the primary road sweater in the 2000-01 season, a departure from the team’s customary orange. Despite some changes over the years, the black jersey has remained a staple in the Flyers’ uniform rotation.
In more recent years, the Flyers once again made a bold statement with their 2017 Stadium Series jersey worn in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This unconventional design featured a black base with orange stripes on the arms and bottom of the sweater. The orange nameplate with black lettering added a unique touch to the jersey, which quickly became a fan favorite. The sweater has since become an alternate option for the team, solidifying its place in the hearts of Flyers fans.
As we look back on the evolution of Philadelphia Flyers sweaters, it’s clear that the team has a rich history of iconic designs, from the classic orange jerseys of the past to the daring black alternates of the present. Whether it’s the traditional look of the Broad Street Bullies era or the modern twist on the team’s colours, Flyers fans can take pride in the unique identity that their team’s sweaters have created over the years.