Two of Southern California's NHL franchises, the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, have recently revealed significant changes to their uniforms, symbolizing not only a shift in their aesthetic but also a nod to their storied histories and communities.
Los Angeles Kings: Blending Eras and Icons
The Los Angeles Kings have introduced new uniforms that are rooted in a blend of the team's past and future. The updated uniforms prominently feature black, silver, and white colors—an unmistakable return to the bold designs of the team's 1990s era. A key highlight of the new look is the revamped logo, which integrates elements from different periods of the team's history, combining design aspects from the 1990s with the iconic crown from the Kings' inception in 1967.
Luc Robitaille, President of the Los Angeles Kings, emphasized the significance of the design evolution. "This evolution is rooted in our 57-year history and embraces the elements of our eras," Robitaille stated. "It also involved interface and feedback with players both past and present, and it sets the stage for extensions and new iterations in the future."
The Kings' new uniforms add distinctive patches: a white patch on the home jerseys and a black patch on the away jerseys. The update also includes new matte black helmets for the home uniforms. To mark the unveiling, the Kings released an attention-grabbing promotional video featuring none other than Snoop Dogg and the South Park character Eric Cartman.
The new uniforms will make their on-ice debut at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas—a fitting stage for the Kings to showcase their refreshed look to the hockey world.
Anaheim Ducks: Orange County Aesthetic
Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks have also refreshed their uniforms, highlighting a new logo and a design that resonates with their community. The new logo, prominently displayed on both home and away sweaters, also appears as a secondary logo on the shoulder patch.
The Ducks' updated jerseys incorporate a new typeface and number palette inspired by Orange County's distinctive art deco styling. Additionally, the new color scheme includes shades of orange, black, gold, and white, emphasizing the team's roots in the Orange County region.
Ducks owners Susan and Henry Samueli expressed their excitement about these updates. "As our organization enters a new chapter of Anaheim Ducks hockey, we are proud to reveal our new, refreshed logo and uniform kit that identifies with the Orange County community," they noted. "The Ducks are a symbol of Orange County, and our pivot to orange with an updated, iconic logo encompasses our past, present, and future."
The Ducks ensured that their new uniforms were introduced by notable athletes, including Mike Trout and Paul Skenes, showcasing the fresh design to a broad audience.
Embracing Change and Community
Both the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks are embarking on new chapters with these striking uniform updates. For the Kings, it’s a fusion of eras that connects their storied past with a promising future. For the Ducks, the new design is a celebration of their Orange County heritage, reflecting the community's unique style and spirit.
As these teams take to the ice in their new uniforms, fans and players alike will celebrate the deep connections between their histories, their communities, and their visions for the future of hockey in Southern California.