A Nod to Notre DameS Jersey Switch

The Los Angeles Kings employed a surprising tactic reminiscent of a famous 1977 Notre Dame football game against USC. In that game, Notre Dame warmed up in their traditional blue jerseys but took the field for the game wearing green, catching their opponents off guard. The Kings aimed for a similar element of surprise.

Surprise Reveal During Opening night

The LA Kings hosted the Colorado Avalanche on October 10,2023,for their home opener at Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. After completing warmups in their standard home uniforms, the Kings took the ice for pre-game introductions wearing their newly designed third jersey – a reveal that was kept entirely secret until that moment.

In an era where jersey leaks are commonplace, the Kings successfully avoided any pre-release data, executing a live reveal during the game itself. This unexpected debut has been lauded as a unique event in sports uniform history.

Jersey Details

The new third jersey is a dark jersey, intended for frequent use during home games. The base color is black, and prominently features the Kings’ crown logo – the first time the crown has been featured on a jersey as the 2022-23 Reverse Retro collection and on a third jersey since the 2012-13 season. The 2012-13 season marked the transition to the jerseys the Kings wore when they won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.

Strategic Considerations

The choice of a dark jersey as a third option addresses a practical concern. White third jerseys can be problematic for home games, as visiting teams frequently enough don’t travel with dark-colored alternatives.