The Colorado Avalanche have cultivated a strong visual identity over their 27 years in the NHL. While their core jerseys have maintained a degree of consistency, the Avs have also ventured into exciting alternate designs, some of which have become fan favorites, while others are more… polarizing.
As the Avalanche once again compete at the highest level, returning to the Stanley Cup Final after more than two decades, now is the perfect time to delve into the evolution of their iconic sweaters and uniforms. We’ll journey through the different eras and designs that have graced the ice, showcasing the team’s visual story.
To gain further insights, we’ll also consider opinions from experts like Todd Radom, a renowned sports logo designer and author of several books on sports uniforms. Radom has previously highlighted the 2015 navy blue alternates and the striking 2020 Air Force Academy Stadium Series jerseys as personal favorites.
Let’s explore the fascinating timeline of Colorado Avalanche Uniforms, inviting you to consider: Which designs resonate most with you, and which fall short of the mark?
2022 Reverse Retro Jersey: A Nod to Colorado Hockey Heritage
In a league-wide collaboration between the NHL and Adidas, each of the 32 teams received a “Reverse Retro” alternate jersey. The Avalanche’s entry beautifully pays tribute to Colorado’s state flag, prominently featuring the “C” logo. Furthermore, the color scheme is a direct homage to Denver’s original professional hockey team, the Colorado Rockies, blending historical respect with modern aesthetics.
Our love of home, and love of hockey. #ReverseRetro
Preorder today, jerseys ship November 15. #GoAvsGo x @adidashockey pic.twitter.com/FwRR32YxRc
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 20, 2022
2021-Present Uniform Tweaks: Steel Blue and White Stripes
The 2021 season marked subtle but noticeable changes to the Avalanche uniform. The team transitioned from black helmets and pants to a more unified steel blue, creating a visually lighter and arguably more contemporary look. White stripes were incorporated into the alternate uniform pants, adding a fresh detail. For the white away jerseys, the black names and numbers on the back were updated to burgundy and blue, enhancing color harmony. The navy alternate jerseys remained part of the rotation, providing a darker contrast.
2021 Reverse Retro: Quebec Nordiques Reimagined
The 2021 Reverse Retro jersey took a different historical route, reaching back to the Avalanche’s origins as the Quebec Nordiques. This design resurrected the Nordiques’ iconic logo and the fleur-de-lis pattern, strategically placed along the bottom and on the shoulders. However, instead of simply replicating the past, the jersey cleverly integrated the Avalanche’s current color palette, modernizing the classic Quebec look for a new generation of fans.
2020 Stadium Series Jersey: Bold and Angular Design
For the 2020 Stadium Series game hosted at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs against the Los Angeles Kings, the Avalanche sported unique jerseys. These sweaters were characterized by a sharp, angular design, a departure from their usual aesthetic. Fan reactions were divided, with some appreciating the bold, modern direction and others finding them less appealing. Unfortunately, these jerseys didn’t bring victory, as the Avs lost the outdoor game 3-1.
2017-2020 Adidas Era: Subtle Tweaks and Navy Alternate Return
The 2017-18 season marked the NHL’s switch to Adidas as the uniform provider, replacing Reebok. For the Avalanche, this transition involved subtle adjustments to the jersey design. The stripes, previously positioned on the ribs and sides during the Reebok era, were moved back to the bottom of the jerseys, a more traditional hockey jersey placement. Font styles also underwent minor revisions. In the 2018-19 season, the popular navy blue alternate jersey made its comeback after a year’s absence, now updated to the Adidas template. A notable detail from 2015 was carried over: the shoulder patch featuring the Colorado state flag “C,” replacing the “Howler foot” patch, further solidifying the connection to the state and echoing the Colorado Rockies hockey team legacy.
2007-2017 Reebok Era: Stripes Move Up
During this decade, the Avalanche’s home and away jerseys saw several minor modifications. The most significant change coincided with the NHL’s adoption of Reebok uniforms in 2007. The Avalanche shifted the jersey stripes from the bottom hem to the sides and rib area, a stylistic trend prevalent during that period.
2015-2017 Navy Blue Alternate: State Pride Jersey
The current navy blue alternate jersey was introduced during this time, quickly becoming a favorite for many fans. It prominently features the “C” logo inspired by the Colorado state flag as the primary crest and includes a Colorado flag patch on the shoulder. This design effectively blended team identity with state pride.
2016 Stadium Series: Navy Inspiration
The Avalanche’s first foray into the Stadium Series occurred in 2016 at Coors Field against the Detroit Red Wings. The design of their Stadium Series jerseys drew inspiration from the navy blue alternate jerseys, suggesting a cohesive visual direction for special events.
2009-2015 Blue Alternate: Diagonal “Colorado” Text
From 2009 to 2015, the Avalanche sported a blue alternate jersey. This design was a stylistic sibling to the burgundy alternates worn from 2001 to 2007, featuring the diagonal “Colorado” wordmark across the chest. Elbow stripes, burgundy accents on the sleeves, and an Avalanche logo patch completed the look.
2001-2007 Burgundy Alternate and Stanley Cup Era
Following their Stanley Cup victory in 2001, the Avalanche introduced a burgundy alternate jersey that became instantly recognizable. This jersey also featured the diagonal “Colorado” text, alongside black, white, and blue striping and Avalanche logo shoulder patches. The home and away jerseys remained largely consistent with the 1999-2001 versions, maintaining a strong brand identity.
1999-2001 Darker Burgundy and Ray Bourque’s Arrival
While the overall jersey template remained similar to the 1997-99 design, the burgundy color deepened in this iteration, adding a touch of richness. This era is also significant for the arrival of hockey legend Ray Bourque in Colorado.
1997-1999 Number Adjustment
Minor changes marked the 1997-99 jerseys. The numbers were slightly reduced in size to ensure a cleaner fit on the back, nestled between the blue and burgundy stripes.
1996-1997 Stanley Cup Year Tweaks
In their second season and riding high from their Stanley Cup victory, the Avalanche made subtle adjustments. The primary logo was enlarged and slightly tilted to the left, and the font for the nameplates on the back underwent a slight modification.
1995-1996 Inaugural Design and Stanley Cup Success
The inaugural Colorado Avalanche uniforms were introduced after the team’s relocation from Quebec City. Departing from the Nordiques’ blue, white, and red, the Avalanche adopted a color scheme of burgundy, steel blue, black, and silver. The iconic “A” logo, shaped like a mountain with a puck and snow detail, was a winning design from the start. These original uniforms saw immediate success, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory in their first season, solidifying their place in Avalanche history.
Conclusion: A Legacy in Burgundy and Blue
From their inception in Denver to their modern-day designs, the Colorado Avalanche uniforms tell a visual story of team heritage, innovation, and connection to their home state. The evolution of the “Colorado Avalanche uniforms” reflects not only changes in jersey technology and NHL aesthetics but also the team’s journey and milestones. Whether you prefer the classic burgundy and blue or the bolder alternate designs, the Avalanche’s uniforms are undeniably a significant part of their identity and fan culture.
