Julie's Jersey Thoughts Pt.1 - The New York Islanders

Hello, My name is FGA, but you can just call me Julie. There are many reasons that people fall in love with sports, the action, the pageantry, and the narratives. But for me, it's the uniforms. Throughout the years I have fallen in love with the history of design and style throughout the history of many American sports leagues, especially hockey. So, I had the thought of channeling that fascination into a blog where I go through the uniform history of a team and give my thoughts on them. For the first-ever installment of this hopefully long series of blogs, I figured it would be fitting to start with my favorite team: the New York Islanders. We've got 50+ years of history to cover and I've got opinions that may be unpopular. Also, real quick, major props to The unofficial NHL Uniform Database for many of the photos in this article, their site most definitely inspired my love of jerseys today. So, without further ado, let's get into the jerseys.

1972-73: Islanders: Origins

That white home jersey sure looks familiar, huh, just mess with the font a little and put a name on the back and you've got the current away jersey. The blue away jersey is also practically the same as the current home jerseys with the only major change being the orange numbers which as you will see are quickly about to change, but don't worry all you orange number fans, it will return soon (34 years later).

1973-78*: Getting There

These are practically the same as the current home and away, sure, there are some minor differences like the font, names, and the blue socks (which look better here but I'll get to that later). Perhaps now is as good a time as any to say, I'm sick of these blue jerseys. for reasons I'll also get into later.

* Regarding the asterisk, I would now like to take this time to look at probably the most obscure jerseys in Islanders history: the 1977-78 away jerseys

The best way I could describe this jersey is, "close but no cigar". These jerseys are a spot-the-difference answer, with the strange decision to remove the white on the sleeves without tinkering with any other aspects of the jersey (except the removal of the tie-down collar, which I think is fine). It's no big surprise these have been all but forgotten, with their strange design and only being worn for 1 season that ended with a disappointing early playoff exit. But I'll remember them, the same way you remember an odd-looking stranger on the subway, as a minute part of your life that you occasionally look back on and think, "Huh, weird". Goodbye, 77-78 away jerseys. I'm sure I'll google you again to make sure you are real soon.

Anyway, moving on from probably the most anyone has ever said or even thought about those jerseys let's move into my second favorite era of islanders jerseys

1978-95: The Best of Times

Let me just say this upfront: These should be the home jerseys. These just look so good, they fixed the weird sleeves from the previous jersey by adding white and made the sleeves match the tail stripes. The other reason is history, every retired number has worn this jersey, 19 straight playoff series were won while this was the away jersey, Pat Lafontaine wore this jersey, the 1993 team wore this jersey, and this teams only 4 Stanley Cups were won in this jersey.

Now, despite all my gushing about these jerseys, you might have noticed that I said this is my second favorite era of jerseys, and if you know what comes next you might be ready to roll your eyes but don't worry it's not what comes next, but I definitely have a lot to say.

1995-97: the worst of times

Welcome to the 90s everyone, the internet is new and the president got dome while in office (I wasn't alive but I can only assume everyone spoke about the decade like this) to make sure you are reminded of the N64 and when your parents were still together this section will be presented in a RADICAL TEAL. Anyhow, let's turn our attention towards our subject, the Fisherman Jersey. I'm gonna be blunt, I can't think of a worse misfire in the history of sports redesigns. Nicholas Hirshon's book "We Want Fish Sticks" is a must-own for anyone interested in this era of Islanders hockey and it also gives a much more in-depth look at the details of how this uniform came to be. One of my favorite details from the book is that one of the main inspirations for this look was Billy Joel's 1990 mid-chart hit "The Downeaster 'Alexa'". A brief sidebar here, but I don't think there is any artist who has as much influence and reverence in one place as Billy Joel has on Long Island. This man gets full-page spreads in the paper for his birthday, his last concert at MSG was front-page news, and his mediocre new singles get a shocking amount of radio play. Anyway, this was honestly a pretty on-the-nose influence for these jerseys considering the song tells the story of a fisherman in the Long Island Sound who is finding it increasingly harder to make enough money to stay on Long Island. The Islanders were very much in the same situation as the ownership saga of the late 90s would begin, including everyone's favorite con man John Spano who almost ruined the franchise with his fraudulent purchase of the team. The team was an embarrassing mess and fans began to lose interest as relocation rumors began to become the norm. With all this negative baggage it's no wonder that many older fans of the Islanders despise these jerseys. But here's the thing, as I previously mentioned, I wasn't alive yet, so while I understand the context and the embarrassment that comes with these jerseys, despite everything my brain tells me, my eyes enjoy these jerseys. Now, I admittedly have bad taste, which will become more apparent as this blog goes on but to put it simply, I enjoy a lot of the strange sports marketing decisions of the 90s. I know I made this whole joke about the teal but I honestly really enjoy this color combo, especially the navy blue (which will come up later). something about the numbers matching the waves of the jersey just scratches my brain, but mostly in the same way that seeing some kitschy roadside attraction might make you excited. And the cherry on top of this long-ass paragraph is that this isn't even my favorite version of this jersey...   

1996-98: Frankenstein's monster

This is. And honestly, I don't know why. Maybe it's the combination of the old logo with the new uniform base but in my mind, the white version of this jersey is the one the team should bring back as a throwback jersey (they already sold a replica of it in the past few years). I also own the white jersey and it is definitely one of my favorite jerseys to wear. But to put these jerseys back in the context of the team's uniform history, these were never going to last. The fans hated them, and the team became a laughingstock because of them. On March 3, 1998, the team would give the fans a glimpse of what was to come

Yeah, These are the ones

1998-2007: Thats why he's the GOAT!

Without a doubt in my dumb gay mind, this is the best era of Islanders uniforms. I know these are basically the same as the 80s-era jerseys, but they are just made so much better by using the slightly darker orange and navy blue (I'm incredibly biased, I love navy blue), the added space between the numbers and their outlines, the four stripe shoulder patch to represent the cup wins. Everything about this jersey is just an upgraded version of the 80s jerseys in my mind and in a perfect world the team would go back to this colorway, but alas every time that happens I wake up from that dream and have to accept that this team is obsessed with the 80s era, which will certainly become more apparent than just the shoulder patch. Also for the first time in team history, we have a:

That's right the islanders have joined the mob and added an orange third jersey. For the first attempt, I gotta say, this is my favorite alternate the team will ever have, as previously mentioned I'm in love with this color combo and I really like the triangular pattern under the arms, if I had one complaint it's that the numbers look a little weird but I don't think it subtracts too much. Somehow this is the only time that the team has tried an orange jersey, officially, at least, we'll get back to this point. Also, welcome back tie-down collars, making their first appearance on an Islanders jersey since 1977. Speaking of throwbacks the islanders would bring back their inaugural jerseys for a couple of games in 2007. Orange numbers fans, we are so back.

Jeez, the mishmash of equipment looks rough

Man, that was a great era of Jerseys, I sure do hope that they keep iterating on those jerseys and continue to have these nice-looking uniforms. 

You can tell where this is going, can't you?

Enough foreshadowing, welcome to hell, it's now time for:

2007-10: The Reebok Transistion 

"What if the 2000s jerseys were worse" must have been on the whiteboard when these were being designed because I honestly don't know how else you can come up with some of the design decisions made with this jersey. These have all of the hallmarks of the early terrible transition to Reebok Edge including: Unnecessary piping around the shoulder yolk, reduction of the tail yolk, and those weird terrible front numbers (I'm sure we won't see those again) that give these jerseys the vibe that they're from an amateur league. honestly, if they got rid of the shoulder piping and the top of the sleeves were white I wouldn't even hate it but that is not what we got, is it? That is honestly all I can really say. There was a prototype of these that leaked. Unfortunately, the one site hosting a photo isn't cooperating with me but I'll still give you my thoughts. These aren't much better in my opinion. It still has the stupid piping on the shoulders and the sleeves just scream blob to me but this still would have been an improvement. But you can only polish a turd so much.

But it seems like this look wasn't meant to last that long anyway. during the 2008-09 season, the team introduced a throwback jersey, and during the 2009 draft, the down-on-its-luck franchise would have their new savior wearing these old-school threads.

Hello, you

If you look closely you can see that the logo now has 4 stripes on the stick which I just can't figure out what that means. Obviously, this look was more popular than the current look and in the next season it would become the official new look

2010-17: What's old is new again

Ok, so way earlier I mentioned that I had a grievance with these blue jerseys and now is the time I will finally discuss it, the white sleeves. I just don't love the white sleeves, which is strange because I think it looks good on the away jersey. I even have nostalgia for this era too, my first Islanders jersey was a blue John Tavares jersey, but I just always had a problem with the white sleeves, maybe it's because it gets so dirty being right by the hands but I digress. Despite my transgressions, I still think these are good jerseys, not my favorite, but don't think I forgot about the alternates.

That's right, don't think they forgot about them. The team tried and failed thrice during this time to come up with a good alternate. So buckle up and get ready for the

2011-14: Ugh

How did this happen? how many people did this go through before it wound up on the ice? There is so much wrong with these. For starters, why black? As this blog goes on this will become a common theme of teams deciding to introduce a black jersey, but most of those jerseys are from the mid to late 90s this was introduced in the year of our lord 2011!!! Why the numbers on the front? This looks like a lacrosse jersey, which I suppose is fitting considering how much people on Long Island like lacrosse, but this just looks terrible. The gray doesn't fit at all. Also, what's up with the diamond motif? It almost looks interesting but like why? The logos on the shoulder make this look like a minor league jersey. This is, in my humble opinion, definitely the worst jersey in team history, PERIOD. I definitely want to get one for myself one of these days.   

2014-15: Everything is chrome in the future

Ok, I guess. they're fine. I don't really like them. the striping on the sleeves not wrapping all the way around looks pretty bad honestly. I don't really like the angular shoulder yolks, and what's up with the logo? For some reason, the theme for the stadium series for 2014 was metallic logos.

Also, what's up with the white nameplates on this jersey. I don't hate but, like, that's the Flyers thing. If anyone else does it it just looks weird

This jersey would also begin the worrying trend of phasing the island out of the Islanders logo. I can't help but mention that around this time rumors of a move to Kansas City were relatively fresh in people's minds. As it turns out, this would be the team's final season (for now) at the only home they ever knew, Nassau Coliseum. The team would fittingly wear the Inaugural jerseys for another, and as of writing this, the most recent time. Sorry, Orange Number Lovers.

Weirdly, these had white names on the back. The 2007 versions had orange names on the back. of course, both of these had some artistic license given that the inaugural jerseys never had names on the back.  

2015-17: That Brooklyn bullshit, we on it

The islanders moved. Like many hipsters in the 2010s, the team began playing in Brooklyn, specifically at the Barclays Center. To build a little synergy with their new roommates, or more accurately, their slightly annoyed landlords, the Brooklyn Nets ( A great contender for a future blog). They introduced a jersey that used the same colors as the Nets, based on the iconography of the New York City Subway. These are my second favorite Islanders alternate jerseys. I think the more minimal look is nice. I think it's funny that this jersey has the four-stripe motif 3 times (sleeves, logo, socks). Weirdly this jersey has the same collar shape as the Adidas jerseys so I don't know if the Islanders were future-proofing these to keep wearing them after the switch over to the Adizero template. Now this is the only time I'll get to talk about the Barclays Center, so I want to take this time to pay tribute to the Rinkside Car.

2017-Present: Same as it ever was

The islanders went back to the Coliseum for a couple more years until their new home at UBS Arena in Elmont was done. Nothing else to really say about these, just the same old, same old. I would like to call attention to the blue socks on these jerseys. why don't they match the sleeve pattern like the white ones do? It's asymmetrical for no reason and it annoys me. Also, I want to shout out the autographed Josh Bailey Jersey I got at a thrift store for $70. My favorite Islander of all time without a doubt. But don't think you're free yet we still have 4 alternate jerseys to go.

2018-2024: ORANGE NUMBERSSSSSS!!!!!

Orange number fans, let's Ride. After Tavares left this was the first Adidas Islanders Jersey I got so I may be blinded by nostalgia but I really like these. They have sleeve striping similar to the 80s jersey and I actually don't dislike the white shoulders. I also like the slightly redone logo which, shocker, has 4 stripes on it. overall, with it being reported that these aren't making the jump to the fanatics era, I'm going to miss these jerseys. These alternates were worn in all 3 Islanders arenas (Nassau, Barclays, UBS Arena). Oh yeah, the islanders got a new home, UBS Arena, on Long Island, so I guess all that worrying was for nothing. Goodbye, blue alternates, thanks for the memories.

Also, shout out to the hangar effect of Long Island

2021 Reverse Retro: Assignment due in 5 minutes

It alright. I don't really understand the hate these got when they were announced. I know people wanted the Fisherman, but these were fine. It's nothing bold, but how were people putting this on the same level as the Red Wings jersey? Overall it was a safe design that I enjoyed, plus these always remind me of the Barzal between the legs goal. Weirdly I have seen a potential prototype of these jerseys that looks like this:

Now, I don't know how official this is, but god damn this would have been bold. I do like the orange base but this would be way better if they switched the white and blue on the striping.

2022-23 Reverse Retro: WE WANT FISHSTICKS!!!

They had to make this jersey. We would have rioted if they had done any other design. And it was worth it. I love these jerseys. I think the minimal design is incredibly clean and does a great job modernizing the fisherman. I do wish there was more teal but it's a minor complaint. It's funny how this was definitely meant to pair with the Rangers first Reverse Retro. I got this jersey the day they became available with it customized as an Anders Lee jersey. These were very well done and I wish we could've seen more of them.

2024 Stadium Series: WE OUTSIDE!!!

After 10 years, the Islanders, or Isles if you're nasty, finally got another outdoor game at MetLife Stadium. These Jerseys are good, I might be in the minority here but I like the stripe look and I think the text on the front looks bold in a good way. The only thing I don't really like is the logo on the shoulder, like, do they think we'll forget what team it is? I'm also biased with these because I was at this game. Even though it ended with heartbreak it was still an awesome experience and I'm glad I was able to go.

Conclusion:

As I wrap up this entry this has honestly been an awesome experience to help go back through my years of fandom with this team. They bring me joy and they break my heart, but no matter what happens I'll always be there. I saw the first game back at the Coliseum, I saw the first win of the win streak in 2019-20. I saw the first win at UBS, as I mentioned I was at the stadium series, and I can't wait to make many more memories with this team.

When It comes to this blog, don't expect any consistent uploads, I'll work on it as I feel, but I'll definitely try to get through all the NHL teams, hopefully before the end of the Year. Obviously, I'll have less to say about some other teams, but I hope you'll stick around if this topic interests you. Let me know in the comments what you think or if you have any jersey opinions you want to share. Thanks so much for reading!!!

-Julie