Sweaters and hockey have been synonymous with each other since the infancy of the sport. Teams have been identified by their iconic colours and patterns. Some of them are classic while others are classically awful. This summer our annual series focuses on the best and the worst sweaters in each team’s history. Today we have the best and the worst New Jersey Devils sweaters in team history.
New Jersey Devils Sweaters: The Best and Worst
How We Did It?
We at Last Word on Hockey used a variety of methods to compile this list. Polling came from social media, our writers, and fans. We wanted to get a variety of opinions when we put out our list. This compilation will likely spur debate. However, we wanted to see who had the most memorable sweaters in each team’s history. Let’s put our best foot forward with the best sweaters.
The Best of the New Jersey Devils
The Originals
New Jersey has been pretty consistent in its look since they moved from Denver when they were the Colorado Rockies. The Devils haven’t made many changes to their sweaters since they came into the NHL in the 1982-83 season.
Merry Christmas! The Devils will wear green-trimmed throwbacks for four upcoming games: Dec. 23 vs. Blue Jackets, Jan. 10 vs. Maple Leafs, Jan. 31 vs. Rangers, and March 1 vs. Flyers. pic.twitter.com/UYq3gz2LYH
— Uni Watch (@UniWatch) December 17, 2018
Red, green and white were the first colours and they lasted until they swapped out green for black in the 1992-93 season. However, many are hoping for the original colour scheme to return once in a while.
We like the whites just a little bit better than the reds, but both made a big impression on Devils fans. New Jersey has been a model of stability in a world where change is constant.
The Christmas Sweaters
These aren’t what you’re thinking when it comes to ugly sweaters at that magical time of year. The Reverse Retro program came into being in 2021 and the Devils decided to go green with their sweaters.
It’s a simple palette-swap from the old uniforms, but these are really nice-looking. Going with red pants instead of the old greens is a nice touch. It provides a nice contrast on these sweaters.
Both the Reverse Retros that the Devils donned were good-looking sweaters, but this one gets the nod over the Rockies’ inspired sequel.
The 1992-2017 Reds
New Jersey decided to replace green for black in the 1992-93 campaign. Some may think it feel into the 90s trope of just putting black on a sweater. However, it was the right call for the time.
Adding black seems to be the only major change that the Devils have made in the team’s history up until 2021. New Jersey believes in the old philosophy about not fixing what’s broke.
The white and black stripes on this sweater push this one into the top three. We like the white ones, but the red gets the nod.
The Worst of the New Jersey Devils
The Jersey… Jersey
In 2017, the Devils tried their hand at an alternate sweater for the first time. New Jersey decided to go with a black base and white script writing. That lettering would go onto to spell Jersey.
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— CoolHockey.com (@CoolHockey) December 16, 2021
People in the tri-state area did get the reference because many ditch the New when referring to the Devils’ home state. However, putting Jersey on the front of a sweater lent itself to a number of jokes.
We only wish the writing would have been everywhere on the team’s uniform. Seeing pants, helmet, skates, socks and gloves written out would have been hilarious. With not much change in the team’s history, this is easily the Devils’ worst sweater.
The Current Aways
We know what you’re thinking. Don’t you like the Devils sweaters? We do, but we have to fill out the worst category somehow.
Adidas took the sweater contract from Reebok in 2017 and ditched the bottom stripes. Losing the bottom-part of these sweaters was something a few Devils fans weren’t happy with.
These arm stripes are also a little-bit fatter than in the previous incarnations. We would love to see the bottom stripe make a return down the way.
The Current Homes
See the previous reasons for this listing. We do like the red just a smidge better.
Also with Fanatics taking the league’s sweater contract, the bottom stripes will not be a part of the Devils sweaters at least for this season.
Other Considerations
New Jersey really hasn’t had a bad sweater in its history. We mentioned the Rockies-themed Reverse Retros, but the most-recent Stadium Series threads are also pretty sharp.
The Devils haven’t had a devil of a time when it comes to sweaters. Let’s hope that continues.
Main photo by: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
