A deep look at the Washington Capitals uniform history

With the 50th anniversary season coming up let's take a deep dive into the Washington Capitals uniform history

Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Capitals have had several cool uniforms from the Screaming Eagle, to a Capital Dome, and even to Stars and Sticks. Let's take a deep dive era by era at the the uniforms.

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Dave Christian, Washington Capitals | Focus On Sport/GettyImages

1974-1994

The iniitial jersey was red, white and blue during their inagural season in the NHL. The Caps wore white pants for the first rour road games of the 1974-75 season, they would then be replaced by blue pants that would persist through the rest of that jersey's era.

1980-81

The word "Washington" would be above the Capitals wordmark but reduced in size.

1983-84

The number of stars on the sleeves is reduced from five to four then gets changed back to five two years later.

washington capitals
Joe Juneau, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK | Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY Sports

1995: Screaming Eagle!

In 1995 the Capitals introduced new logoso and uniforms with a blue, black and bronze color scheme. That season was also the first year of the blue, black, and bronze jerseys. The word CAPITALS appeared below the eagle on the home and away jerseys.

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Olaf Kolzig, Brendan Witt, Washington CapitalsMandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK | Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY Sports

1997: Capital Dome

In 1997-98, the word CAPITALS appeared on the road jerseys and a black third jersey was added and worn for the first time on Jan. 25, 1998. The jersey was worn nine times during the season. In 2000-01 the black jersey replaced the road blue jersey and the nameplate letters on the black jersey were no longer arched. In 2003-04 the NHL switched to wear dark jerseys at home and white jerseys on the road.

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Alex Ovechkin, Viktor Kozlov, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports | Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

2007: Rebrand and new deal with Reebok

On June 22 the team introduced new logos and changed it's colors and uniforms back to red, white, and blue. The logo draws upon the team's original jerseys but with a fresh and bold font. The letters lean forward representing the Caps commitment to innovative and forward thinking and the three stars represent the DMV, the main market where the Caps call home. The letter T, just like the originals, was depicted with a hockey stick. The red white and blue was on display in the white road uniforms as well officially launching the Rock the Red era.

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Eric Feher, Marcus Johansson, Jason Chimera, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2011: White Winter Classic

This was the jersey the Caps wore in their first ever outdoor game at what was then called Heinz Field. The Caps would win that game thanks to two goals from Eric Fehr.

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Troy Brouwer, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2015: Deep Red Winter Classic

In 2015 the Caps introduced their Red winter classic uniform and Washington would go on to win that contest as well in front of a sold out Nationals Park over the Chicago Blackhawks. Troy Brouwer would go on to score the game winning goal.

The Caps also introduced a throwback third that season which was pretty much a red version of their winter classic uniforms. It was also as old school as it got as it paid homage through 1974-75 through 1994-95.

washington capitals
Braden Holtby, Matt Niskanen, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2017: Adidas!

In 2017 the NHL signed a deal with Adidas for the new ADIZERO authentic NHL jerseys.

2018: Stadium Series!

In 2018 the Caps debuted their navy blue jerseys they wore for the Stadium Series where they won over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The red throwback would also return.

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Dmitry Orlov, Washington Capitals | Patrick Smith/GettyImages

2021: Screaming Eagle is back!

This was inspired by the Caps classic identity with a modern twist and it sold out at the team store very quickly. The Caps would also debut a blue W third jersey which was like their home Winter Classic and Stadium Series combined. The blue W got retired at the end of the season.

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Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2022: Reverse Retro is back!

In 2022 the Caps brought back the Black jersey featuring the iconic Screaming Eagle. They wore it eight times and won all eight games and Alex Ovechkin would pass Gordie Howe right before the holiday break.

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Conor Sheary, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports | James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

2023 Stadium Series: Road edition

For the Stadium Series last year the Caps donned the Weagle on their road trip to Raleigh.

Schedule