NHL unveils 2018 Stadium Series logos on Veterans Day
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The 2018 NHL Stadium Series will see the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs face off in the elements on March 3 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Fitting with the military theme, the logos for the event were unveiled today — on Veterans Day.
This outdoor game continues a five-year tradition of Stadium Series match-ups that began in 2014, capitalizing on the success of the Winter Classic. It will be the third outdoor appearance for both teams. The Caps played in the Winter Classics of 2011 and 2015; the Leafs in 2014 as well as last season's NHL Centennial Classic.
Designed by NHL Creative Services, the logo marks incorporates elements of the U.S. Naval Academy insignia, as seen in senior designer Justin Wright's sketches from the design process.
Along with the event logo, the team crests were revealed. The Leafs will wear their standard mark while Washington introduces a design inspired by their abbreviated nickname, "Caps" — perhaps somewhat ironically displayed in all lowercase letters, surely to match their primary logo. (This is reminiscent of the BOLTS and SENS designs created in Tampa and Ottawa for the 2008 Reebok third jerseys.)
Jerseys will have to wait for another time, though. The league opted not to reveal those today.
Speaking of which, the 2018 NHL Winter Classic is now less than two months away and the league has yet to show us what the Rangers or Sabres will be wearing. I suspect we'll see them before Thanksgiving to ensure they're available to Black Friday shoppers.