Manufactured by the same Quebec-based company
that has provided the NHL with superior quality on-ice player
uniforms for nearly five decades.
The National Hockey League (NHL) and Fanatics today officially
debuted the Fanatics Authentic Pro NHL on-ice uniforms, the first
Fanatics-branded and designed NHL player uniforms that will be worn
during the upcoming 2024-25 season. Today’s unveiling builds
anticipation for the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28-29 at
Sphere in Las Vegas, where the League’s next generation of players
will receive the official Fanatics jersey of their new team after
their name is called on stage.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240626295207/en/
(Graphic: Business Wire)
Since 2018, Fanatics has designed and manufactured performance
and training apparel for the NHL’s players, coaches and team staff.
Last year, the NHL and Fanatics announced an expanded partnership
which, beginning with the 2024-25 season, sees Fanatics become the
official outfitter of the NHL’s on-ice uniforms for the next 10
seasons. The new uniforms are being manufactured by Quebec-based SP
Apparel, the same company whose elite craftsmanship has provided
the NHL’s on-ice uniforms for nearly 50 years.
“I couldn’t be prouder to unveil the first-ever Fanatics branded
NHL uniforms,” said Fanatics CEO, Michael Rubin. “These
jerseys were meticulously crafted in lockstep with NHL players, the
NHLPA, equipment managers, teams and the NHL. Their feedback on
what they were looking for in their next uniform completely drove
our design, which was validated when we went back to all 32 teams
during the past season to the show players and the reaction was
overwhelmingly positive. We’re excited to debut the jersey we’ve
developed that will not only be worn by the best hockey players in
the world, but also, for the first time in a decade, these same
jerseys can be purchased by the NHL’s passionate fans as well.”
Fanatics’ design and development process, in collaboration with
the NHL, also included active participation by a number of critical
stakeholders, including NHL players, the National Hockey League
Players’ Association (NHLPA), and executives and locker room
personnel from every NHL Club, thereby resulting in a high-quality
jersey engineered for the modern hockey player.
“NHL uniforms are considered by many to be the best in sports,
and the history, tradition and respect that goes with our NHL
sweaters is paramount to both the NHL and Fanatics,” said NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman. “Fanatics listened to our players
and Clubs, and preserved the quality, performance and design of our
uniforms to serve our world-class athletes. We have a shared
commitment with Fanatics to serving our Players and fans, and we
are proud of what Fanatics has delivered to our new uniforms.”
While the jersey’s base construction remains similar to the
current jersey standard, new features of the Fanatics Authentic Pro
uniform, which is made in Canada with domestic and imported
content, include:
- An additional layer of fabric inside the lower sleeve to
enhance uniform durability intended to reduce material wear from
sustained friction against the boards. This enhancement was the
direct result of feedback from NHL players and equipment
managers.
- New shoulder fabrics replacing the debossed pattern fabric used
on the shoulders of the prior NHL jersey.
- A new NHL Shield execution on the front neck of the jersey
which includes a special hologram finish.
- Fanatics branding embroidered on the back neck of jerseys.
Fanatics has also introduced a redesigned on-ice player practice
jersey, which now features an embroidered lightweight crest.
Over the past several months, Fanatics worked with the NHL and
NHLPA to visit all 32 Clubs, where players – including Connor
McDavid, Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Nikita Kucherov,
Steven Stamkos, Brady Tkachuk and many more – had the
opportunity to see, feel and try on the new uniforms. Throughout
these visits, the Fanatics Authentic Pro on-ice uniforms received
positive feedback. The players were glad to see that Fanatics kept
the base construction similar to what they were comfortable playing
in, and also that some slight design and performance adjustments
have been made to the uniform. Additional player comments
included:
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs: “Fanatics did a
great job designing these jerseys. They feel comfortable and look
breathable, which is important during games. Any little detail that
can help us perform at our best makes a difference.”
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks: “The Fanatics jersey
looks good. I like that there is not a lot of change from the older
version, and I also like the design of the new practice
jersey.”
John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs: “I think the fabric is
fantastic. It feels nice and will fit really good with our gear on.
On the inside of our jerseys, it reads ‘Honour, Pride, and
Courage.’ It’s that type of attention to detail and quality that
will hold true through the jerseys too. Wearing the Maple Leaf is
incredibly special, and I look forward to putting the new jerseys
on for this upcoming season.”
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils: “Fanatics made a really
good-looking jersey. It feels great, the Devils crest looks
amazing, and I look forward to wearing it on the ice next
season.”
Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils: “The material of the
Fanatics on-ice jerseys feels really comfortable, and the new
design makes them look clean too.”
Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens: “I’m lucky to wear one
of the most iconic jerseys [Montreal Canadiens] in sports, and any
time you put it on is really special. Fanatics’ design of the
jersey looks amazing, feels great and I can’t wait to wear them
next season.”
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks: “I love the jerseys. The
Canucks logo really pops on them, and the fabric feels airy and
breathable. They’re really just beautiful jerseys.”
“From very early in this process, Fanatics has kept their
commitment to partnering with the players in the transition to the
new on-ice jersey,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive
Director. “I am very thankful to Michael Rubin and the staff in
Fanatics’ hockey department, for taking the time and expense to
travel to NHL rinks to get players’ first-hand input on the fit and
feel of their most iconic piece of equipment.”
Fanatics has also created an elevated and enhanced retail
portfolio of authentic and replica jerseys. For the first time in a
decade, fans can now purchase the authentic on-ice jersey, the
identical jersey made in Canada and worn by their favorite teams
and players every game. Fans will now be able to shop four distinct
Fanatics jersey categories – Authentic Pro, Premium (equivalent to
the highest level of retail jersey that exists now), Breakaway (the
existing Fanatics fan jersey) and a new retail version of the
Practice jersey.
While the new Fanatics NHL jerseys will be given to players
selected at the 2024 NHL Draft, the retail versions and additional
apparel – including a new line of NHL fan gear that is meticulously
crafted in Canada – will be available across online and physical
retail locations starting in September closer to the start of the
2024-25 NHL season.
Additional Executive
Quotes
Andrew Low Ah Kee, Fanatics Commerce CEO
“We are honored to be the official uniform partner of the NHL.
We take seriously our responsibility to outfit these world-class
athletes with the highest quality products and drive innovation in
response to their needs. We are also excited that, for the first
time in a decade, fans will be able to own the authentic, on-ice
jerseys which are made in Canada and worn by their favorite teams
and players."
Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Branding Officer and Senior
Executive Vice President
“Our firm intention is to maintain our uniforms as the best
uniforms in all of sports, and we are in good hands with Fanatics.
We’re excited to unveil our new uniforms and showcase Fanatics’
design capabilities when we unveil the uniforms for next season’s
marquee events including the Winter Classic, Stadium Series and 4
Nations Face-Off. With Fanatics as both the official outfitter of
our on-ice uniforms and the engine behind our e-commerce and retail
operations, licensed fan merchandise and performance gear, we can
serve our players and fans better than ever before.”
For additional photo and video assets accompanying today’s
announcement, please visit the link here.
NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image
of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey
League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its
teams. © NHL 2023. All Rights Reserved
NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’
Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the
NHLPA and are used under license. © NHLPA. All Rights
Reserved.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of
32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s
international makeup with players from more than 20 countries
represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy
in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL
entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its
partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million
followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and
more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts
games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rights
holders including ESPN, TNT Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.;
Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; Viaplay in the Nordics,
Baltics, and Poland; YLE in Finland; Nova in Czech Republic and
Slovakia; Sky Sports and ProSieben in Germany; MySports in
Switzerland; and CCTV5+ in China; and reaches fans worldwide with
games available to stream in every country. Fans are engaged across
the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL®
App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network
Radio™; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring
unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every
regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the
League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Original Productions and
NHL Studios produce compelling original programming featuring
unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team
personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital
platforms.
The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities
using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color,
religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual
orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For
Everyone™ initiative reinforces that the official policy of the
sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms
and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people
of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more
inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater
diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than
$100 million in youth hockey and grassroots programs, with a
commitment to invest an additional $5 million.
About Fanatics
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform.
We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the
presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by
offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics
Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports
fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform,
sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and
streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and
digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital
assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming
platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million
global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900
sports properties, including major national and international
professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges,
college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and
celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail
locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000
employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan
experience and delighting sports fans globally.
The new Fanatics Authentic Pro NHL on-ice uniforms are made in
Canada with domestic and imported components by Quebec-based SP
Apparel.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240626295207/en/
Brandon Williams, Fanatics, brawilliams@fanatics.com Nirva
Milord, NHL, nmilord@nhl.com