Today, the NHL and Adidas unveiled their black Reverse Retro ADIZERO Authentic jerseys that each team believes encapsulated a meaningful historic moment in its club’s history.
Washington recently unveiled their old blue, bronze, and black road uniform. It integrated its long-forgotten Screaming Eagle logo from 2007 into its design – featuring black base material with metallic copper accents for extra flair – and added the Capital Blue color scheme into its uniform design.
1. The Screaming Eagle
The NHL and Adidas have unveiled the entire Reverse Retro jersey collection, including the Washington Capitals’ black Reverse Retro 2.0 sweater with the Screaming Eagle logo from the 1998 Stanley Cup Final appearance as the centerpiece.
The design features an eagle in the same shape as their original third jersey from 1995 and features blue, bronze, and black color options reminiscent of their initial 1995 design. A nod to their early history can also be seen with the Capitol Dome building on one shoulder of this jersey, seven times throughout this season, starting November 5 against Toronto Maple Leafs! In addition, Verizon Center games will see these jerseys worn four times this season and use this motif throughout team creative such as arena game presentations, digital channels, etc.
Washington Capitals fans will soon have access to an assortment of shirts and hats featuring the Screaming Eagle, with copper-and-silver variations of its image featured on some caps, while others feature only blue-and-bronze accents. Pre-orders for RR 2.0 jerseys begin Thursday; black versions should be sold first.
Screaming Eagle was one of the original California “cult wines.” Proprietor Jean Phillips never imagined her homemade wine-making would become so sought-after; Robert Mondavi encouraged her to bottle and sell them!
By 2006, demand far outpaced supply. Many vineyards had developed leafroll virus, necessitating extensive replanting efforts, and Phillips’ tiny stone winery could no longer meet all customer demands. Kroenke bought the property to ensure Screaming Eagle would continue as one of the world’s premier wines.
With a new owner came a unique team of winemakers. Star winemaker Andy Erickson became head winemaker, while world-renowned oenologist Michel Rolland became consulting enologist. Together, they produced The Flight blend, which debuted in 2015 – an intense Merlot-based wine with a robust flavor intensity.
2. The Capitol Building
As they unveiled their black jersey for this season, the Capitals also unveiled an iconic symbol. Their logo and crest both feature the Capitol Building – first used on alternate jerseys back in 1995 as part of their initial rebrand from red and white to blue, black, and bronze – but now back as part of this year’s Reverse Retro 2022 ADIZERO jersey and scheduled to be worn for seven games this season.
Adidas collaborated with the Capitals to design this year’s Reverse Retro jerseys, designed to honor iconic historic moments in each club’s history – this year, this Reverse Retro is meant to commemorate their move to Washington, DC, in 1995.
NHL and Adidas collaborated on this jersey design to capture elements from that period, such as sepia tones, foils, and half-tone dots inspired by 90s/early 2000s tech trends. The Capitals’ logo and uniform reflect this design philosophy by featuring contemporary take-offs of Screaming Eagle imagery.
Darcy Kuemper expressed excitement on Tuesday upon first seeing his new pads and gear for the first time, likening it to Christmas morning. It looks great.
Fans are scrambling to purchase Reverse Retro jerseys, and it remains unclear how long they’ll remain available. As of 6 p.m. on Oct. 11, most authentic sizes were already sold out at MedStar Capitals Iceplex and Capital One Arena team stores; however, more jerseys should become available online and through other NHL sales partners on Nov 15.
3. The RR 2.0 Logo
The Washington Capitals recently unveiled their stunning black jersey for this season, and it’s truly breathtaking. Created to honor their historic moments and part of the NHL’s “Reverse Retro” initiative, this year’s jersey features a screaming eagle topped by a three-dimensional cresting treatment meant to show its power and speed – something they will wear in seven games this season.
The Eagle will again appear prominently on the shoulders, as in 1995, with their initial blue, bronze, and black alternate jersey introduced. Later, in 2000, the Capitol building was added to their logo, while their rebranding process concluded in 2007.
As an added touch, the Caps offer influencer kits featuring retro apparel like bucket hats, fanny packs, and 90s cassette speakers playing classic songs the club selected. During home games this season, these kits will be given out to players and coaches to celebrate their history while creating memories for fans.
The Capitals will use a throwback theme throughout their team creative, from arena game presentations and digital channels to shorts featuring players recreating the iconic “Screaming Eagle” goal celebration from their 1990s era.
One notable element is goalie equipment; each will wear custom gear matching their teammates. Darcy Kuemper sports a matte black bag accented with bronze, copper, and black elements – an eye-catching look he wears over several pieces of gear from his blocker mask, gloves, and pads! Additionally, The Capitals have added the eagle symbol from their goalie stick manufacturer logo in copper and blue outline for extra flair.
Starting November 15, new jerseys will be available at both Capital One Arena and MedStar Capitals Iceplex team stores as part of Adidas Primegreen technology; the Reverse Retro 2022 ADIZERO jerseys will also be worn during two particular head-to-head games against New York Rangers beginning in early 2022. These Reverse Retro 2022 ADIZERO jerseys boast at least 50% recycled content and feature advanced technology that provides enhanced comfort compared to regular retro jerseys.
4. The Team Logo
The Capitals have debuted their Reverse Retro jerseys for four games this season, but more opportunities will arise to witness them sporting them in future matches. Adidas and all 31 NHL franchises have collaborated to design black ADIZERO Authentic jerseys that capture unique historic moments within each club’s history; Washington’s Reverse Retro jersey was an amalgamation of their first ever alternate jersey, which became their road jersey in 2000 as well as their original rebrand from 1995 featuring their screaming eagle logo.
This year, the Capitals will wear Reverse Retro jerseys with their current red, white, and blue third jerseys at home; however, they won’t return outside DC until 2023. They may be used at special game-day events and a “Rock the Reverse Retro” concert at 9:30 Club in November.
Noteworthy about this Reverse Retro jersey is its copper-colored crest. While its wings feature traditional Capitals colors, the rest feature all-over copper with black and bronze trim – an aesthetic popular in uniform designs from the 1990s to early 2000s and logos.
Copper gear will return to NHL teams after it was seen worn by Detroit Red Wings during their red and black alternate uniform era in 2012. According to The Athletic, goaltender Daryn Kuemper will wear copper pads, blocker gloves, catching gloves, and a mask during Reverse Retro games this season.
Fans can Ways Capital Reverse Retro jerseys beginning November 15 at Capitals One Arena and MedStar Capitals Iceplex team stores and online. In addition, these jerseys will be part of the NHL’s Countdown to Zero initiative that seeks to reduce virgin plastic use by 2030 while eliminating plastic straws by 2025. Caps’ eagle-inspired logo will serve as one element of this campaign that also involves player initiatives, fan engagement initiatives, and community outreach programs.
