The Penn State University (PSU) Nittany Lions hockey team have unveiled a new “retro” alternate uniform, which they will debut tomorrow night against the Wisconsin Badgers. The team announced the new alternate with a well-done video, which gives some excellent views of the uniform.
Old Time Hockey! 😤#HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/chvGMCj1wN
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 13, 2024
Here’s a look at the uniform:
According to the University, the “full ensemble pays homage to the program’s first varsity era of the early 1940’s, with additional respect shown to the storied club hockey days, dating back to the 1970’s.”
We’ll get to the historical references in a minute, but first, let’s go over the details of the uniform.
The jerseys are white, with a blue yoke across the shoulders, and featuring the modern-day Nittany Lion logo. The initials “PS” will serve as a crest, and are rendered in blue, on a diagonal slant. TV numbers are present on the sleeves, and feature three thick navy blue stripes on the lower portion of the sleeves. The sweaters also have traditional collar laces.
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The rear of the jersey features large navy blue numbers, and a constrasting color nameplate (similar to those worn by the Philadelphia Flyers). The school describes it as “a traditional navy hockey namebar with white lettering, and throwback numbering, which mimics the number font used on the Generations of Greatness football jersey.”
Gloves and pants are both a light brown color, evocative of the equipment used back in the sport’s earlier years. A stylized “PSU” logo is found on the right leg of each players’ breezers.
Captain’s sweaters will feature a block “C” inside a keystone (Pennsylvania is the “Keystone State”).
Inside the jersey collar are the words “Dear Old State.”
The uniform is completed with white socks, featuring three vertical blue stripes, mimicking those on the sweater sleeves.
Finally, helmets will be blue and feature “Penn State” in raised white script on either side.
The uniform pays homage to the uniforms worn by the first varsity men’s hockey team during its inaugural season of 1940-41. Per PSU, Penn State played its first-ever varsity contest against Carnegie Tech on December 6, 1940, after the Athletic Association voted in ice hockey, along with skiing, as an official varsity sport back in the spring. Penn State won that opening game 3-1 and went on to finish the 1940-41 season with a 6-3-1 record.
As you can see, there are differences between the new alternate uniform and the 1940-41 upon which it is based. The “PS” crest and barber pole socks make up the basis for the new alternate. An additional uniform cue is found on the 1971-72 uniforms, from which the stylized “PSU” logo found on the breezers is taken from the 1971-72 crest.
PSU notes how that logo/crest came into being: “A custom logo was designed as a unique moniker for the front of the jersey. A creative, stylized amalgamation of letters and hockey imagery, the logo features the initials of Penn State University with two hockey sticks surrounding a puck in the negative space between the letters.”
While I’d need to see these on the ice in order to give a full opinion, I love what I’m seeing so far. I love how the team has combined two distinct eras to create a fauxback, and the team has taken great pains to ensure the uniforms are pretty true to the originals on which they’re based. I’m not in love with the brown gloves and pants, but they do create an air of authenticity. About my only complaint would be the namebar NOB, which wasn’t present when the 1940-41 sweaters were worn. But since this is a fauxback, not a throwback, I’m ok with this modern concession. And of course, as I’m a big fan of stripes — particularly on hockey sweaters and socks — I love that part of the uniform.
The Nittany Lions take on Wisconsin at 7 pm (ET) on Friday, November 15, and at 7:30 pm the following day. The uniforms won’t be “one offs,” either. After Penn State dons the retro uniform against Wisconsin, the look will become an alternate worn by the Nittany Lions over the next few seasons. You can read more about this uniform and the history of the teams from which the uniforms were based here.
Your thoughts?
These are good alts and I like that they are going all out with the light brown pants, pads. I wish they were keeping thr regular white helmet with the blue stripe though.
The regular uniforms are *perfect Penn State hockey uniforms* though these alts are an improvement over previous attempts.
Now, if I could just watch them regularly in BIG network…
I agree, the uniforms look fantastic but the helmets look a little off with everything.
I’ll have to take their word for it that the logo on the pants is a PSU, because it looks more like a DJ setup to me.
I came here to dub that the “Turntable logo”
That stylized PSU is incredible! I didnt even see the sticks at first
I really had to stare at it to find the S
The first few pictures make it look like a gray based jersey, which IMO makes it look better.
Two thumbs up!! And the ’70s-era logo is a definite keeper.
Very nice!
Now make it like it was in the 70’s. No ads on the boards or ice. Really throw it back.
I love see all the new uniforms, but who is paying for these? Do these go straight to your kids tuition? Do ticket prices go up?
Typically, college athletic programs use Monopoly money printed out on colored paper. Doesn’t work for classrooms and desks, unfortunately.
Wow, these are pretty cool.
Very, very nice. That PSU hockey logo is awesome, I understand that it was designed by an anonymous student. He or she should get credit for this if he or she ever decides to step forward.
The barber pole elements and the brown breezers and gloves definitely give off a Nittany Lion with his scarf vibe.
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