As is the case with most uniforms that make it from a designer's pen to a player's back, the Vegas gold jersey took a few tries to get it exactly right. The importance of having the jersey look exactly right was a priority for Foley and his team. From the design to the material used in making the jersey, Foley said he's proud of the process and the final result.
"This is a fantastic jersey," Foley said. "It's the first metallic jersey in the NHL. It took seven iterations to get it right. I saw all the iterations and kept trying to get it a little bit different. It needed that shiny metallic gold, not just a recessive gold or yellow like many other jerseys have been. This is really going to pop on the ice and in the stands."
Foley would be the first to tell you about the difference the home fans at T-Mobile Arena have on the Golden Knights. The most energetic fan base in the NHL packs The Fortress to help Vegas to victory and rocks their VGK gear while they do it. With the addition of the gold jersey to fans' gameday repertoire, Foley envisions a Fortress that's been transformed.
"Think about our gray home jersey," Foley said. "When you're in the stands, you have this kind of gray mass and then, if it's the Blackhawks, you'll have red here and there and it really stands out. This gold jersey will really stand out and it will take care of those opposing fans."
The mental picture of a building packed with gold jerseys supporting the team in matching sweaters is one that the entire organization has strived for since the idea of having a gold uniform came about. When fans are welcomed back into T-Mobile Arena, that vision will come to life.
"It's been a vision from our owner, Bill Foley, to have a third jersey that's truly reflective of the entertainment and sports capital of the world in Las Vegas," said Chief Marketing Officer Brian Killingsworth.
Killingsworth emphasized the tie between the jersey and the city of Las Vegas. Sports teams around the world have uniforms that work with the team's own brand, but the gold jersey goes far beyond just the Golden Knights' identity. It is a uniform that screams Vegas.
"It's not just a hockey jersey, it's a fashion statement," Killingsworth said. "It's the perfect thing to wear to a game at T-Mobile Arena because it shines when there's movement. If you go out on the town on the Las Vegas Strip, it's the perfect thing to wear out for a night out. It's perfect for the Golden Knights and the city."
