In the NHL, team jerseys symbolize loyalty, history, and pride. But sometimes, teams push the envelope a bit too far, leaving fans baffled. From strange logos to jarring colors, these jerseys went down in hockey history—for all the wrong reasons. Here’s a countdown from the absolute worst to the "just plain odd" of the NHL’s ugliest jerseys, along with an honorable mention for one that almost made the list.
10. Phoenix Coyotes “Kachina” Jersey (1996-2003)
When the Coyotes debuted their “Kachina” jersey, it was polarizing from the start. The abstract, Southwestern-inspired patterns and colors set it apart from traditional NHL jerseys, which some fans loved, but others found overwhelming. Though the “Kachina” has since found a nostalgic fan base, its polarizing design lands it on this list.
9. Buffalo Sabres “Buffaslug” Jersey (2006-2010)
When the Sabres introduced a redesigned logo in 2006, fans immediately dubbed it the “Buffaslug.” The logo’s shape looked more like a slug than a buffalo, sparking widespread disapproval. While the “Buffaslug” stuck around for a few years, it’s now remembered as a branding choice best left in the past.
8. St. Louis Blues “Red and Yellow” Jersey (1995-2007)
In 1995, the St. Louis Blues introduced an alternate jersey that left many fans scratching their heads. Featuring a red and yellow color scheme, this design was a stark departure from the team’s traditional blue and gold. The bold red base with yellow accents clashed with the classic Blues look, and the overuse of color made the jersey look more like a promotional item than an official team uniform. While the Blues are known for their timeless blue jerseys, this misstep remains one of the more questionable designs in the franchise's history.
7. Nashville Predators “Mustard Cat” Jersey (2001-2007)
Nashville went out on a limb with this mustard-colored alternate jersey featuring a snarling, saber-toothed cat. Though the aggressive logo was fine, fans couldn’t get over the strange mustard shade, and the “Mustard Cat” jersey went down as one of the NHL’s oddest color choices.
6. Los Angeles Kings “Burger King” Jersey (1995)
The LA Kings’ “Burger King” jersey is notorious for its strange gradient background and a shoulder logo that bore a strong resemblance to a fast-food mascot. The jersey’s mismatched elements left fans and players puzzled, and though some now appreciate its quirkiness, it remains one of the strangest experiments in NHL fashion history.
5. Boston Bruins “Pooh Bear” Jersey (1995)
The Boston Bruins, a team known for its tough image, took a left turn in 1995 with a bright yellow alternate jersey featuring a cartoon bear, quickly nicknamed the “Pooh Bear.” The whimsical bear looked out of place for the usually gritty Bruins, making it one of the NHL’s more peculiar uniform experiments.
4. Vancouver Canucks “Flying V” Jersey (1978-1985)
In a bid to create an intimidating look, the Canucks went with a giant orange-and-yellow “V” across a black jersey—a style they hoped would make players look larger and more imposing. Instead, it made them look like comic book characters. The “Flying V” is now an infamous part of hockey history, remembered more for its audacity than any intimidation factor.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning "Third Jersey" (2008-2011)
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s third jersey, introduced in 2008, makes this list due to its overly simplistic and somewhat bizarre design. The jersey was primarily black with a large, bold, silver "Tampa Bay" script across the chest. While the team was aiming for a modern and sleek look, the design ended up feeling more like a generic practice jersey than an official NHL uniform. The lack of a prominent team logo and the odd placement of the script left fans unimpressed, and the jersey was quickly discontinued after just a few seasons.
2. Anaheim Mighty Ducks “Wild Wing” Jersey (1995)
When Disney’s Mighty Ducks went bold with the “Wild Wing” jersey, the result was… wild. The cartoonish depiction of the mascot crashing through the ice against a bright teal background was meant to capture a younger audience, but the design is more amusement park than NHL. This sweater is legendary for its playful yet disastrous style.
1. Dallas Stars “Mooterus” Jersey (2003)
The Dallas Stars’ 2003 alternate jersey was intended to celebrate Texas’s longhorn heritage but instead became infamous as the “Mooterus” jersey. The unusual shape of the longhorn logo reminded fans of anatomy rather than hockey, and the color combination of green, gold, and red-brown only made things worse. This one is widely remembered as the NHL’s most infamous design fail.
Honorable Mention: Washington Capitals “Screaming Eagle” Jersey (1995-2007)
The Washington Capitals “Screaming Eagle” jersey almost made the list, with its large eagle logo spread across the chest and unconventional color palette. The design was bold but jarring, and though it didn’t last forever, it developed a niche fan base that kept it from the top 10. It remains one of the most memorable but divisive designs in NHL history.
Final Thoughts: Ugly, But Unforgettable
While these jerseys may have been poorly received, they’ve achieved cult status for their bold (and sometimes baffling) design choices. From the infamous “Mooterus” to the nostalgic “Kachina,” these jerseys remind us that memorable designs aren’t always the best-looking. Today, they’re appreciated by collectors and fans alike for their audacity, even if they don’t exactly score high on the style scale.
