The history of hockey sweaters and the Detroit Red Wings are intertwined, with iconic colors and patterns defining teams throughout the sport’s history. Some sweaters are timeless classics, while others are famously terrible. In this summer series, we delve into the best and worst sweaters in each team’s history, starting with the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings’ sweaters are simple yet effective, with the iconic Winged Wheel logo adorning the red jerseys. The team went through a few name changes before settling on the Red Wings, previously known as the Detroit Falcons and the Detroit Cougars. Since the introduction of the Winged Wheel logo in 1932, there have been some minor tweaks to the number and crest, but the overall look has remained consistent.
The red sweater worn by the Red Wings has become a cultural icon, even appearing in the classic movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on the character Cameron Frye. Frye’s choice to support the Red Wings and the legendary Gordie Howe over his hometown Chicago teams added another layer of significance to the sweater’s legacy.
Detroit originally sported white sweaters before switching to red in 1932. However, this caused a conflict when playing against the Montreal Canadiens, who also wore red jerseys. To resolve the issue, the Red Wings introduced a white sweater with a color swap of the red jersey. The white sweaters most fans recognize today featured red sleeves starting in 1956, serving as the home jerseys until the league mandated dark colors for home teams.
The history of the Detroit Red Wings sweaters is a rich tapestry of tradition and innovation, with the iconic red Winged Wheel jersey standing as a symbol of the team’s storied past. As we continue to explore the best and worst sweaters in NHL history, the Red Wings’ jerseys will undoubtedly hold a special place in the hearts of hockey fans everywhere.
