Exploring the Latest NHL Practice Jersey Redesign
The unveiling of the new NHL practice jersey design by the Utah Hockey Club has sparked interest among hockey fans and enthusiasts. As the league transitions from Adidas to Fanatics for the 2024-25 season, changes to the on-ice uniforms were expected. Notable alterations include the inclusion of the Fanatics logo on the back of each team’s jersey and the replacement of shoulder dimples with conventional jersey material.
While the focus has primarily been on the on-ice jerseys, the practice jerseys have also undergone a transformation. During the initial announcement of the new on-ice NHL jerseys, Fanatics hinted that practice jerseys would be available for retail purchase, a feature that was not offered during the Adidas era. However, the design of the practice jerseys was not revealed at that time.
As NHL development camps commenced, teams took to the ice wearing their old Adidas practice jerseys, with the exception of the Utah Hockey Club, which never sported Adidas jerseys. The newly unveiled practice jersey design for the Utah Hockey Club features the removal of the three Adidas stripes on the side, the addition of the Fanatics logo in the top corner, and the introduction of a new swatch near each shoulder. The team logo is prominently displayed in the center of the chest within a circular design that reads “PROPERTY OF HOCKEY CLUB.”
The history of NHL practice jerseys dates back to the 1980s when teams commonly wore their regular game uniforms or simple colored tops during practices. Practice jerseys with manufacturer logos began to emerge in the 1990s, with teams like the Boston Bruins incorporating prominent logos on their practice gear. The introduction of CCM’s “Center Ice” line in the late 1990s set a league-wide template for practice jerseys, featuring team logos, a circle reading “CENTER ICE,” and a simulated center ice line behind the logo.
Subsequent iterations of practice jerseys saw adjustments to the design, with logos being placed more prominently on the chest. Reebok introduced piping and color loops on practice jerseys during their tenure as the NHL’s uniform provider. The switch to Adidas in 2017 brought back the circular design behind team logos, reminiscent of the original CCM Center Ice style, along with the addition of three stripes down the sides of the jerseys.
The evolution of NHL practice jerseys reflects the changing landscape of hockey apparel and branding, with each era leaving its mark on the design and aesthetics of these essential pieces of gear. As the league embraces a new era with Fanatics as the official uniform provider, fans can expect to see further innovations and updates to both on-ice and practice jerseys in the seasons to come.