NHL sweaters will continue to be made in Canada as they have for 50 years, but the league officially announced their 10-year partnership with Fanatics, a company known for producing inexpensive fan apparel. The change means 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins’ jerseys will bear the label and have a few changes in construction, though as of now, there will not be a change in appearance.
Don’t worry, the players’ sweaters will be hand-stitched and will not include the infamous Fanatics iron-on patches. In fact, it seems Fanatics Apparel is making a great effort to shed its past reputation.
“These jerseys were meticulously crafted in lockstep with NHL players, the NHLPA, equipment managers, teams, and the NHL,” said Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin. “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.”
Fanatics has also introduced redesigned player practice jerseys, which now feature an embroidered crest.
“The Fanatics jersey looks good,” Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard said. “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.”
PHN Correction: The new jerseys are not yet for sale to the public.
According to the new sweater manufacturer, there are significant design changes to the design:
- 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 includes a special hologram finish.
