A deep look at the Vegas Golden Knights uniform history
The Vegas Golden Knights surprisingly have a sizable history of jerseys as a franchise. Here are some that stand out for the club.
Once upon a time, a man named Bill Foley wanted to bring an NHL team to Las Vegas. The entrepreneur believed it'd be a viable hockey market, one that Gary Bettman kept a close eye on for years. He got his wish with the Vegas Golden Knights, who were But Foley's ambitions were met with sarcastic comments and skepticism from northern hockey fans.
"HoCkEy WiLl NeVeR wOrK iN tHe DeSeRt!"
They said this until they were blue in the face. Still, that didn't stop the Golden Knights, who became an instant success and household name. They won the Pacific Division in their first season and made the Stanley Cup Final, shocking the hockey world. Suddenly, a community became attached to the Golden Knights, making hockey work in the desert.
Along the way, a litany of jerseys came out for the team. That included Reverse Retro fits and Winter Classic jerseys, both of which have been bought up by hardcore Golden Knights fans. It's a testament to the franchise's early success, where fans have made NHL games a part of their daily lives.
So let's have some fun with the jersey collection and see some notable versions of the Golden Knights threads. Which jerseys look great? Which ones are a little forgettable? It's time to don our apparel and get ready for another hockey season. Here's a breakdown of all threads in Golden Knights history.
2017-2020: The gray jersey
Perhaps the most famous Vegas Golden Knights star to wear this uniform is Marc-Andre Fleury. The former Vezina Trophy winner has made a living as a solid goaltender for Vegas, making breathtaking saves. Overall, he's had a career line with the Golden Knights consisting of a GAA of 2.41 (his best with any team) and a save percentage of .917 (also his best with any team).
As for the jersey itself, it was the primary thread worn by the Golden Knights during their starting seasons. They switched to the gold uniform in 2021, bringing a new identity to the team. Still, it made the team look slick as they entered the NHL, turning Vegas into the cool kids on the block.
2021: Reverse Retro (Red)
The NHL dabbled in reverse retro jerseys a few seasons ago, commemorating a team's past and making it modern. The Golden Knights started in 2017-18, so it's beyond impossible to find apparel matching such a moniker. So they had a red jersey that would fit the description. These were worn in the Lake Tahoe game on February 20, 2021, against the Colorado Avalanche, where they lost by a score of 3-2. However, they did have a respectable 3-2 record while wearing the red jerseys, so there's that.
The one Golden Knights star that represents this fit is Alex Pietrangelo. He's a gritty defenseman who does the dirty work on the ice. When Vegas picked him up, the goal was getting an elite blue-liner who gave it his all on every play. It's safe to say it's worked out well, with the team winning a Stanley Cup in the process.
2022-23: Reverse Retro (Black)
Now, the black reverse retro jersey? Not so much success. The Golden Knights have a record of 3-5 while wearing these threads, making them much less successful than their red brethren. Still, it represented the courage and bravery the team displays every night.
As for the representative? That would be the captain, Mark Stone. Stone plays a 200-ft. game and is tough every minute, making him a formidable foe. He's also a key offensive piece, serving as the playmaker when he's on the ice. The black and gold show Stone's workman-like mentality and leadership, where he shines brightest.
2024: Winter Classic
In 2024, the Vegas Golden Knights traveled to T-Mobile Park (different from T-Mobile Arena, mind you) for the NHL Winter Classic. They would take on the Seattle Kraken, who were also a fellow expansion team in the past decade. The Kraken would win the contest, 3-0, behind Joey Daccord's shutout, although the Golden Knights were still dealing with injuries.
The overall theme was a Western motif, a throwback to the days of the buckaroo. It's a nice touch and homage to what Nevada was prior to becoming the entertainment mecca it is today. For true Nevadans, it feels like a part of their cultural history.
As for the player that fits this best? Logan Thompson, who was the netminder for that game. He stopped 24 out of 27 shots, which is vastly underwhelming. However, the former Golden Knights star was the best player on his team by default, for nobody scored for Vegas in the Winter Classic.
feed