As part of the league’s first ever Winter Classic, the Penguins went back to their colour scheme from 1967 and quickly adopted the retro jerseys as alternates for the following season. These alternates were short lived as they only wore them in 10 games for the rest of the 2008-09 season and another 10 games in the 2009-10 season. They were retired shortly after.

 

It’s hard to believe at first glance that the light blue base and Penguins logo would work well together but indeed it has. The blue is supposed to resemble ice overlapping the glare of water, the habitat of a penguin. The large white stripe coupled with the dark blue strips is an excellent complement to the light blue body of the jersey.

 

The logo offers a great presentation of boldness to balance the mild colours on the rest of the jersey. The large white “Pittsburgh Penguins” letters shows a strong message on letting everyone else who they are when they are worn. The letters also adds a nice vintage feel to it. The yellow and black Penguins logo in the center of the circular crest adds a healthy contrast to the blue and white base of the sweater. Overall, this jersey is very well put together.

Pittsburgh Penguins 2011 Winter Classic

Worn on January 1st, 2011 in Heinz Field – Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Although most Winter Classic jerseys are supposed to replicate the jerseys worn in each team’s past, this particular sweater features different aspects multiple past jerseys from the Penguins franchise. While the jersey may look like a classic, the overall design is actually brand new but it’s still based from the team’s history – not a common theme for most Winter Classic jerseys.

We once again go back to the late 1960’s for the inspiration of the design for this sweater. This jersey is a lot like the 2008 Winter Classic but vice-versa. The body of the sweater is navy blue which was used prominently by the Pens in the 1970’s. The bold, baby blue striping on the waist and wrist portions is a standout that was inspired by the very first Penguins jerseys with the diagonal “Pittsburgh” lettering in the inaugural year of 1967. Those jerseys were only worn for just one season. The unique, baby blue striping of the jersey was widely criticized because it didn’t look like it matched with the rest of the jersey but it was part of team history so why blow that detail out of proportion.

The logo was an improvement from the 2008 Winter Classic as the circular base is now vintage white plus it’s coupled with retro-style “Pittsburgh Penguins” letters circling the penguin. That very same penguin logo that was used in 2008 now has a scarf and that detail was by far the best aspect about this jersey. The logo itself is also very large and it sticks out well to onlookers. The only criticism I have with this jersey is that the blue letters circling the penguins doesn’t standout, instead, it blends in to the navy blue body of the sweater a little too much. Overall, this is a nice jersey that has standout features but it was a little overdone.

Pittsburgh Penguins 2014 Stadium Series

Worn on March 1st, 2014 in Soldier Field – Chicago Illinois

2014 marks the first year of the Stadium Series outdoor games. Unlike the Winter Classic where historic elements are used for their main theme of the sweaters, the Stadium Series theme moves into a modern direction by trying out new designs and features that were never displayed before.

For this jersey, the Penguins unveiled a jersey that still uses the same logo and colours, but in an entirely different layout. The black shoulder yokes are a welcome detail as well as the mid-size black and gold stripes along the waist and elbows portions of the sweater.

The jersey features a chrome-treated Penguins logo design inspired from the chrome details of the NHL shield, a dynamic and modern look to conventional team identity.

The numbering on the back of the jerseys is enlarged and sleeve numbers are angled to improve visibility in outdoor venues. The font on them looks really good too.

Overall, this jersey looks better than their primary road whites they have used from 2007 to 2016 but the Pens really should of have tried to think ”outside-of-the-box” more with this one. The New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks and L.A. Kings took a chance on some brand new concepts that turned out to be huge winners in their Stadium Series games so that left fans wanting more so that was a slight disappointment.

Pittsburgh Penguins 2017 Stadium Series

Worn onFebruary 25, 2017 in Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is probably the most standout outdoor NHL jersey that has ever been unveiled. There are so many features this jersey has that makes it unique and there is no other like it. This jersey is mean’t to look industrial because Pittsburgh is also known as “Steel City.” The captaincy patches have the gold triangle around it and that golden triangle is normally behind the logo but instead they have it integrated with the “A” and “C” captaincy patches.

The most attention-grabbing feature is the giant patch on the left sleeve touting “City of Champions” in big silver letters. This is the largest secondary patch that was ever featured on a NHL jersey. Inside the patch there are four gold stars, marking the Penguins’ Stanley Cup championships, with crossed hockey sticks all inside a keystone shape — for the Keystone State.

The overall body of the jersey is representative of the first alternate jersey ever used in the NHL and that honour belonged to the Penguins. Those jerseys were worn between 1982 to 1985.

 

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