The history of hockey is intricately tied to its sweaters, with teams being recognized by their iconic colors and patterns. Some sweaters are timeless classics, while others are simply classic disasters. In our annual series, we delve into the best and worst sweaters in each team’s history, and today we turn our attention to the San Jose Sharks.
The San Jose Sharks burst onto the scene in 1991 with their iconic teal sweaters, which were an immediate hit even outside the realm of hockey. The striking teal color became synonymous with the Sharks, with fans proudly sporting Starter jackets in the team’s colors. The striping on the jerseys was well-designed, with black, white, and gray complementing the teal base. Players like Shawn Cronin and Link Gaetz proudly wore these uniforms in the early days of the Sharks.
In a nod to their roots, the Sharks brought back the teal design in 2022, albeit with teal shells instead of black. The return of this classic design was met with enthusiasm from fans who have fond memories of the original teal sweaters.
However, the Sharks have also experimented with black sweaters over the years, introducing three different black uniforms. One standout among these is the “Cali Fin” sweater, which is currently part of the team’s rotation and was unveiled in January 2024. The crest on this jersey pays homage to the patch from the 2015 Stadium Series sweaters, adding a touch of nostalgia to a modern design.
As we celebrate the best and worst of the San Jose Sharks’ sweaters, it’s clear that these garments play a significant role in the team’s history and identity. From the iconic teal jerseys to the sleek black alternates, each sweater tells a story of the Sharks’ evolution on the ice.