Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins today unveiled their uniform for the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Heinz Field.
Predominantly navy blue with light blue accents, the uniform is a new design that features elements from many different eras of Penguins uniforms. It was designed by Reebok with input from both the Penguins and the NHL.
“We wanted to create a uniform that celebrates the rich history of Penguins hockey, but with a new look – giving fans something they would really like,” said Keith Leach, Director of Merchandising for Reebok.
The logo, which was previously released in May, is the Penguins’ original logo from the inaugural 1967-68 season – although it was never worn on a uniform. It features a skating penguin, wearing a scarf.
The Penguins wore various versions of blue uniforms from 1967-80, so the colors were selected as a tribute to team history – in keeping with the theme of the Winter Classic event, which is to take the game back to its roots.
The Penguins wore a “throwback” uniform from the 1970s in their first Winter Classic appearance in 2008. This new design is considered a “fusion” because it is patterned after a number of different uniform elements.
“It’s an honor to be involved in the Winter Classic, team President David Morehouse said. “To be asked twice, I think is a tribute to the organization and the talent we have. To host it in Pittsburgh, it’s a special honor because I think it solidifies Pittsburgh as not only a football town but also as a hockey town.”
Morehouse said today that going with the blue uniform is a tribute to the Penguins history but there are also some new elements in the jersey that fit the Penguins new movement.
“It’s a great uniform, first of all, ” Morehouse said.
“It’s the very first logo that we had as the Penguins and it’s a tribute to history. It has some different elements of different uniforms we’ve had in the past but it’s new. So it’s consistent with us opening a new arena, moving forward but has a nod to the past. The fans in Pittsburgh made the blue jersey, the best selling jersey in the NHL. We wanted to stick with some form of blue along with black and gold.
Penguins Winter Classic jerseys will be available for sale to the public the week of Nov. 15. They will be available at numerous retail outlets, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and the PensGear stores at CONSOL Energy Center.
While the new uniform will make its debut in the Jan. 1 Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals, it also will be worn two other times in the second half of the season – Feb. 10 vs. Los Angeles and March 12 vs. Montreal, both at CONSOL Energy Center.
Thoughts on the Jersey: What do you think?
