The Hershey Bears, who have played in the American Hockey League (AHL) since the 1938–39 season — the longest continuously operating member club of the league still playing in its original city, Hershey, PA — have done it again with special Autism Awareness uniforms. The reigning Calder Cup champions got new uniforms this season, opened the season in special Champions sweaters and added a Chocolatetown alternate along the way.
But the Autism Awareness uniforms, which were designed by Milton Hershey School students (with Vista Autism Services and the Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area), may be their best alternates this season. The team broke them out on Sunday against the Hartford Wolfpack.
The new uniforms weren’t completely new — but the sweaters and socks are (the Bears would pair their normal chocolate helmets and breezers with the Autism Awareness gear). Here’s a look at the jerseys and leggings:
The jerseys themselves are largely a cobalt blue, and feature a white yoke with a light blue collar. Interweaving stripes of light green, light blue, white, orange and red wrapped around the base of the jersey. The socks followed a similar pattern. In the center of the jersey is the Hershey Bears crest.
TV numbers are white with an orange outline.
Each jersey also features a butterfly on each shoulder.
Kathleen McGraw, whose position carries a mouthful of a title (Managing Director of Corporate Engagement for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts), said of the uniforms, “When we unveiled the Autism Awareness jerseys, the response on social media was overwhelming, and we were so thrilled to bring it back. It’s been a couple of years since we featured autism, so [it was great to hear] people’s thankfulness of bringing light to autism awareness. It’s as satisfying for us to do things on the ice [as off of it]. To see how the community reacts to us off the ice and vice versa is rewarding across the board.”
The significance of the colors reflect ones important to autism awareness, while the intertwined design represents inclusivity. The butterfly symbolizes growth.
“[From] the importance of the butterfly, the colors and the [representation] of inclusion, all of us learned quite a bit,” said McGraw. “The students enjoyed the whole process of doing research [about autism] and coming up with what our players will have on the ice.”
Here’s a look at the jerseys on ice and in action.
Following the game, the sweaters were auctioned off, with a portion of the proceeds from going to the Vista Autism Services and the Autism Society Greater Harrisburg.
Holy moly, Mud! 🧱 pic.twitter.com/xlKrysVzS4
— x – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 6, 2025
April is “Autism Awareness” month, so it was a perfect time for the Bears to raise awareness via the special uniforms. The local news station did a very nice report on the special kits, and it includes some excellent views of the uniforms.
Great move by the Bears. And fantastic uniforms to boot. It’s always great when teams wear fan designs, and not only did the student designers themselves learn more about autism, hopefully the fans did as well.
What do you think of the unis and the promotion?
Putting aside the wonderful message…these are nicer uniforms than what some pro teams wear. BRAVO to everyone involved.
Putting off an Islanders fisherman vibe, but in a good way.
Great pallet, and I love the stripes wrapped around the base of the jersey.
Love it. Matching helmets and pants would be nice, but I understand those are extremely expensive to change for a one-off event.
Don’t love socks being referred to as “leggings”.
I love ‘em. Both what’s behind them and the design in itself. Two thumbs up Hershey.
Innovating heavily with the waist stripe is a risky game, but the interwoven stripes are awesome. Cool color palette, too. Really love the butterfly patch.
In a world oversaturated with gritty, edgy, cringing mascot logos, the butterfly is ironically badass on a hockey sweater (see also: SD State Jackrabbits football) . I’d love to see an Iron Butterfly themed uniform. The only thing I’m not wild about is the white shoulder yoke.
Phil, thank you kindly for spotlighting this and credit to the Bears organization and the students on collaborating to create such a special project that will have positive impact. As a father of a son who has autism, this piece meant a great deal and I’m now a Hershey Bears fan.
As an avowed Hershey Bears hater (GO PHANTOMS!) I have to say, fantastic job Bears. Everything about this promotion from designs by students working with advocacy groups, to the finished product, to the amount of awareness the whole uniform brings (in other words, not just a patch) is amazing. Hershey may make the second best bite-sized chocolate candy in the Commonwealth (GO WILBUR BUDS!) but they’re on top with this awareness uniform.
These are great. I love to see an interesting stripe pattern on the field/ice, and I dig this pattern. It would have to fit the overall theme for a team, but would be interesting to see on an on going basis on some team.
Wonderful cause and great uniforms. Job well done, Bears!