From the dawn of hockey, sweaters have been intertwined with the sport, symbolizing teams with their iconic colors and patterns. Some are timeless classics, while others are memorably dreadful. In our annual series, we delve into the best and worst sweaters in the history of each team. Today, we examine the NHL sweaters of teams past, showcasing the finest and the most regrettable designs. This final chapter brings an end to our illustrious series.
The Hartford Whalers underwent a striking transformation from their days in the WHA, evolving from green and gold to royal blue. The iconic logo, a whale tail with the hidden letters H and W, replaced the harpoon emblem, becoming synonymous with the franchise. These revered sweaters are still honored by the Carolina Hurricanes, who don the green jerseys in homage to their predecessors. Owner Tom Dundon has embraced the Whalers’ legacy, a stark contrast to the team’s initial reluctance to acknowledge their roots.
The Quebec Nordiques, another cherished team from the WHA-NHL merger, boasted sweaters that remained consistent throughout their history. Despite plans for a significant rebrand in 1995, including a husky logo and new colors, the classic fleur-de-lis design remained timeless on the ice. The beloved logo made a resurgence in 2021 with the Colorado Avalanche’s Reverse Retros, reigniting hopes for a future revival of this fan-favorite look.
Our meticulous research and analysis have unveiled the best and worst NHL sweaters from teams of the past. These garments serve as artifacts of hockey history, embodying the essence of each franchise’s identity. As we bid farewell to this series, we celebrate the enduring legacy of these iconic jerseys and eagerly anticipate future iterations that pay tribute to the rich heritage of the sport.