The Washington Capitals released the design for the jerseys they will wear at the 2011 Winter Classic. For the past three years the Winter Classic has been played outdoors on New Year's Day. This season's game will feature the Washington Capitals vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. All the teams involved in the Winter Classic have worn distinctive jerseys for the game. The jerseys have all been slightly modified versions of those worn previously in the team's history. The Capitals are no different as the design reflects the original jersey worn by the team when it came into the league in 1974.
If you grew up with the Capitals, like I did, the design conjures up memories of Capitals teams past. From the inaugural team that barely won 8 games, to the teams of the mid-eighties that were perpetual playoff contenders that jersey was a mainstay. I can just see the helmetless Rod Langway patrolling the blue line or Mike Gartner streaking down the wing ready to unleash his wicked slap shot. The teams used to wear white jerseys at home, so this design brings me back to the Capital Centre where a shot deflected by Scott Stevens found its way into my lap while I sat in Section 115. I remember always wanting a Dale Hunter #32 jersey. That man had to be the most hated player in the entire league but we all loved him. Through it all it was that classic Capitals jersey they wore.
The Capitals Winter Classic jersey brings the "old school" back to Washington. The top of the jersey is red with a 2011 Winter Classic patch on the right shoulder. Six alternating red and blue stars adorn the chest and five stars run down the sleeves. The numbers are blue with a red border. The nameplate uses the same two toned color scheme. The body of the uniform is white with the original Capitals logo used from the 1974-75 season until the 1995-96 season. Below the logo are red, white and blue horizontal stripes to the bottom of the jersey. This distinctive design is a sharp look for this year's team.
The Capitals unveiled the Winter Classic jerseys at the annual Caps Convention. The full uniforms were modeled by current team captain Alex Ovechkin and former captains Rod Langway and Yvon Labre. In the overall uniform, the biggest departure from the "old school" look was the pants. The original Capitals uniforms had blue pants with alternating white and red stars down the sides. The Winter Classic version has red pants with blue and white stars. The full presentation of the uniform was very striking and is a good look for this season's team.
The Washington Capitals Winter Classic Jerseys are a stylish updated version of the original jerseys worn in the team's first season. I love the return to the red and blue stars on the front and sleeves. The stars are distinctively Capitals and return me to my childhood days following the team. In the end, I think I will have to get one. Gotta support the team.