Logos are a vital component that serves as the visual cornerstone of a brand’s identity. They instantly convey a brand’s values, culture, and uniqueness. Especially, in the realm of sports, a well-designed logo not only conveys those points but also helps foster team spirit and fan loyalty.
Moreover, it becomes a powerful symbol that resonates with generations of supporters, evoking strong emotions in them. That’s why creating logos for teams is such an intricate process.
With the approaching Stanly Cup Finals, the biggest ice hockey tournament, throughout June (2024), we thought it a great opportunity to look at the NHL logos of the top teams.
But before we go through these top NHL logos let’s first briefly look at what the NHL is.
The NHL stands for National Hockey League, an ice hockey league formed by 4 Canadian teams in 1917. It is a league where the teams are solely from Canada or the US. Currently, there are 32 teams with 7 teams from Canada and 25 from the US.
According to Statista, Ice Hockey is the no. 1 watched sport in Canada with it also being the national sport there. In the US, however, it’s the 5th most popular sport but has a decent popularity percentage of 22.1%.
In 2024, the NHL revenue has skyrocketed to an estimated $6.2 billion annually according to acclaimed AP sports writer Stephen Whyno. The sport is beginning to thrive and bounce back again after the Covid pandemic.
And that’s why we think we should familiarize ourselves with some of the NHL logos of the top teams. As you go through these NHL logos you will see how the fast-paced nature of the game is depicted in the various logos.
So without further delay let’s kick off this list of NHL logos.
The New York Rangers, established in 1926, are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in the NHL. They are well known for their iconic blue, red, and white colors. Based in New York City their home arena is Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have a passionate fan base and a rich history, including multiple Stanley Cup victories.
The New York Rangers’ logo is a timeless type of logo called a crest/ emblem. It has retained its original design since 1926 (shown below) with subtle updates to lettering, color shades, and crest shapes.
The current logo was introduced in 1999, and it seamlessly aligns with the fast-paced nature of hockey with its diagonal line development a technique to pick up when creating logos for hockey. The iconic blue, red, and white colors extend beyond the logo, adorning their jerseys and branding making it one of the most notable NHL logos in circulation.
Founded in 1967 as the Minnesota North Stars before relocating to Dallas in 1993, the Dallas Stars have established themselves as a formidable team in the NHL. Known for their vibrant green and silver colors, the Stars captured their first Stanley Cup in 1999, cementing their place in hockey history.
The Dallas Stars’ logo is instantly recognizable, featuring a prominent letter “D” representing Dallas within the outline of a star. This direct approach to design is effective, especially in sports logos. It’s a technique commonly found in NHL logos.
The original logo was overhauled when the team changed its name. The current version was introduced in 2013 (shown below) but it underwent a color revamp in 2021, lending it a more striking appearance.
The updated colors accentuate the logo’s boldness, while the 3D effect on the “D” adds depth, reminiscent of dynamic 3D stars.
But the green remains intact because of one of the players. A franchise icon, Mike Modano requested to maintain it, as it was the only one of its kind among the NHL logos. This is a good sentiment to follow when creating logos for hockey. The green, black, and white in the logo also extend to their jerseys and other branding.
The Carolina Hurricanes, originally established as the Hartford Whalers in 1972, relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1997. They achieved their greatest success in 2006, winning their first Stanley Cup and solidifying their presence in the NHL.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ logo stands out as one of the most consistent NHL logos since its inception in 1997, featuring an iconic representation of a hurricane’s eye. While retaining its core concept, the logo underwent a significant color shift from a muted, pinkish red in its original version (shown below) to a vibrant, bright red in the current rendition introduced in 1999.
This bold hue extends seamlessly to their jerseys, solidifying red as the dominant color in the team’s branding. The enduring simplicity and striking imagery of the Hurricanes’ logo not only evoke the power and intensity of their namesake but also symbolize the team’s resilience.
The bright red now defines the rest of their branding with the team’s uniforms being dominantly red. Even in the psychology of colors red is deemed to be a powerful color and it can intimidate the competition. Thus, the psychology of colors is something to think about when designing logos for hockey.
The Florida Panthers, founded in 1993, represent the NHL in the Miami metropolitan area. Notably, the team reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996, making a significant mark early in their history.
The Florida Panthers’ logo is easily recognizable, featuring straightforward wording and a clear illustration of a panther within a shield. This sleek design stands out among NHL logos, marking a significant upgrade from the original pouncing panther logo (shown below), which was iconic for 28 years.
Introduced in 2016, the current logo followed a complete rebranding, including new uniforms. The new logo design was done by the design team at Reebok.
The updated panther appears more mature while retaining an aggressive facial expression, conveying strength and determination. The shield shape of the badge is inspired by military insignia, adding a sense of authority and tradition to the team’s identity.
This cohesive and modern design is positioned to stand the test of time – a concept that designers and sports personnel should consider when creating logos for hockey and other sports in general.
The Winnipeg Jets was previously called Atlanta Thrashers and was founded in 1999. The team was re-established in 2011 after the Atlanta Thrashers relocated, and remains a prominent NHL team based in Manitoba, Canada. Renowned for their passionate fan base, the Jets play their home games at the Canada Life Centre, showcasing a strong connection to their community.
The Winnipeg Jets’ logo, introduced in 2011, features a sleek design that pays homage to the Royal Canadian Air Force. The logo incorporates a silver jet overlaying a red maple leaf, set within a navy blue circle, reflecting both national pride and the city’s aviation heritage. The colors on the logo are seen across their branding.
This modern emblem marked a significant evolution from the original Atlanta Thrashers logo (shown below) used before the team’s relocation. It’s one of the NHL logos that went through a complete overhaul.
The current logo’s clean lines and patriotic elements have been embraced by fans, symbolizing the Jets’ resurgence and deep connection to Canadian identity and Winnipeg’s rich history.
Similarly, location, history, and tradition are crucial elements that must go into creating logos for hockey and generally sports-related logo designs. You can see this practice across many NHL logos.
The Boston Bruins, an original member of the NHL’s “Original Six,” were founded in 1924 and boast a rich history of success. Known for their iconic black and yellow colors, the Bruins have won multiple Stanley Cups and maintain a dedicated fan base.
Out of all the NHL logos the Boston Bruins are the ones to have undergone the most recent logo change because they celebrate their centennial in 2023-24. The change occurred in 2023 with the main change being the complete removal of the thick dark outline around the B which previously made the logo (shown below) slightly old school.
The current version looks better with a modern touch to it and looks a lot like the 1949 version.
However, the bee hive-inspired color scheme is seen across all of their uniforms whether playing home or away. It may not be intentionally picked as the previous color scheme was yellow and brown. The black may have been a better choice in terms of contrast. Regardless, it inadvertently makes them look like a colony of bees.
If someone were to create logos for hockey or other sporting teams, this kind of powerful inspiration would be a good place to start.
Established in the 1950s, the Vancouver Canucks are a prominent NHL team based in British Columbia, Canada. Despite several appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Canucks are still in pursuit of their first championship, passionately supported by their loyal fan base.
The Vancouver Canucks’ logo has undergone several transformations since the team’s inception in the 1950s with a logo (shown below) much different from the current one. It’s one of the NHL logos that went through a major overhaul.
The current design, introduced in 1997, features a sleek orca whale bursting through ice in a stylized ‘C’. This logo reflects the team’s West Coast heritage and the powerful, dynamic nature of the orca.
The evolution of the Canucks’ logo highlights a blend of regional pride and a modern, aggressive identity, resonating deeply with fans and symbolizing the team’s enduring spirit and connection to Vancouver.
This conceptualizing of locally unique aspects is often seen in NHL logos and is a good practice to follow if you’re creating logos for hockey or other localized sports teams.
The colors for the team uniforms are also taken from the logo but the uniforms include a touch of green which further brings out the logo.
The Colorado Avalanche, originally the Quebec Nordiques before relocating in 1995, quickly found success by winning two Stanley Cups in their first decade. Known for their burgundy, white, and blue colors, the Avalanche have a strong following and play their home games at Ball Arena in Denver.
The Quebec Nordiques logo (shown below) was entirely changed with the relocation.
The current Colorado Avalanche logo has also remained in its original state since 1995 without any changes.
The logo cleverly incorporates elements reflecting the region and sport. The design features a bold ‘A’ shaped like a snow-capped mountain, symbolizing Colorado’s rugged terrain. A swooping line encircles the ‘A’, resembling an avalanche’s path, with a black puck at the tip, highlighting the fast-paced nature of hockey.
This dynamic motion conveys speed and power, mirroring the team’s playing style. The logo’s creative integration of the mountain and the letter ‘A’ pays homage to the state’s geography while establishing a strong, and memorable identity.
This dual action is often visible in NHL logos. It’s a practice that future designers should also adhere to when designing logos for hockey.
The colors of the logo are fully incorporated into the team’s uniform making them easy to recognize.
The Edmonton Oilers, founded in 1971, have a storied history, boasting legendary players like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. With a loyal fan base, the Oilers continue to strive for another Stanley Cup victory in 2024.
The Edmonton Oilers logo was introduced in 1972 and remains to be one of the NHL logos that stuck to its original design. It reflects the city’s rich oil industry heritage, with the name symbolizing strength and energy. The design features bold typography with the bottom of the letters dripping down, resembling oil, reaching the edge of the encircling circle.
The blue and orange color scheme, while not officially tied to any specific symbolism, has become iconic, representing the team’s identity and history. This distinctive logo combines regional pride with dynamic visual elements, creating a powerful and memorable emblem that resonates deeply with fans and highlights Edmonton’s industrial roots.
All those who strive to create logos for hockey and other sports should follow this sort of practice.
And despite how old it is it’s one of the NHL logos that has one of the most modern looks.
The Vegas Golden Knights, established in 2017, made an immediate impact by reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season. Known for their rapid rise and passionate fan base, the Golden Knights have become a formidable force in the NHL, showcasing their skills at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Vegas Golden Knights logo is a masterpiece of design, with its colors and imagery carrying significant meaning. The primary colors used in the logo are gold and black. Gold could represent the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, while black could signify strength and power. Their uniform however includes a touch of red that helps the colors pop.
The imagery in the logo is equally important. The knight’s helmet forms a V shape in the negative space, that stands for the team’s name. This clever use of negative space demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to this logo design.
The simplicity and effectiveness of the logo are evident in the fact that it has undergone minimal iterations since its creation. The Vegas Golden Knights logo serves as a testament to the power of thoughtful and innovative design that should be present when creating logos for hockey and other sports.
As you navigated this list of NHL logos you may have been inspired by the amazing details that went into creating them. Several key factors make these NHL logos special. One of the key factors we saw in a majority of these NHL logos is that they’re straightforward. When creating these logos for hockey teams, the designers and others who were involved kept the imagery very close to the name of the team. This is a good practice for easy brand recall.
These NHL logos mirror the vigor and urgency of the game and provide valuable lessons to all those looking to create similar logos for hockey and other sports. This is the second key factor we saw in these NHL logos. They embody the sport and communicate all about it – another important thing to remember when designing logos for hockey and other sports.
So be inspired by these NHL logos and take off in the process of creating your own sports logos.
