Stars unveil adidas Reverse Retro 2022 jerseys

Stars fans have a diverse choice of jerseys to wear to the game, and that's by design.
Now, the choice will get even bigger as the NHL and adidas combined to reveal their latest reverse retro uniforms for all 32 teams on Thursday.

"The first iteration of Reverse Retro was one of the most popular uniform launches of all time," said Dan Near, Senior Director at adidas Hockey in a press release. "Fans couldn't get enough of not only their team's jersey, but the nostalgia and storytelling leaguewide. In 2022, we're doubling down on the design formula - Your Colors, Your Retros, Remixed - and once again seeking to bring the magic of the sport to Gen Z and fans around the world."
That philosophy is never clearer than in Dallas, where fans have been treated to five new uniforms since 2013. The rebrand to Victory Green has both home and road looks. Both the "Blackout" alternate sweater and the Winter Classic were in 2020, and they appealed to very different audiences. The all-black uniform with "Skyline Green" accents has a modern vibe, while the Winter Classic leans more toward a classic look.

The Stars will wear their Reverse Retro 2022 jerseys five times in the 2022-23 season, beginning Nov. 25 vs. Winnipeg. They'll also wear them Dec. 1 vs. Anaheim, Dec. 4 vs. Minnesota, Dec. 10 vs. Detroit and Dec. 23 vs. Montreal. (The Dec. 1 game will feature the Ducks and Stars wearing their Reverse Retro jerseys.)
Last season's Reverse Retro went in a completely different direction with an all-white layout that was based on the Stars' 1999 Stanley Cup champion sweater. It was something completely different, so the team and adidas are getting back to a more traditional look this year as an homage to the 1993 season when the team first moved to Dallas.
\[PHOTOS: Click here to check out more images of our Reverse Retro 2022 jersey!\]
"We designed the Blackout jersey right after we finished the Winter Classic jersey, and with the Winter Classic jersey and kit being a callback to hockey's roots in Texas, we wanted the Blackout to be all about the future," said Jeff Neal, the Stars' Creative Director. "We threw out the 'rules' of a hockey sweater and wanted to design something futuristic that would appeal to a younger audience, thus the Skyline Green. This new '93 Reverse Retro lands somewhere in the middle of those two. It's a chance to pull a part of our history out of the closet and give it an updated look. I really believe it'll be a hit with the majority of our fanbase."
Neal has a big role in designing all the new jerseys and sits on a committee with Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, Chief Communications Officer Dan Stuchal, broadcaster Daryl Reaugh and Director of Merchandising Kris Smith.

That group brainstorms the new ideas and then collaborates with the NHL and adidas to see what works in terms of design, fabrics and what the other 31 teams are doing. Within the new sweater are all sorts of small decisions that help make up the final product. Among the important details are stripe width, number presentation and patch materials.
"None of the jerseys we create are haphazard," Neal said. "A lot of time and thought go into them."
Stars President Brad Alberts said he's always impressed with how the committee works and the product they produce.
"Once again, Jeff and our group has created an excellent product," said Alberts. "I'm really proud of what they put together. Our fans should love this addition to our jersey collection."
Neal said he understands not everyone will be happy with the final decision. There are just too many tastes to satisfy everyone. While the Winter Classic and the Blackout received rave reviews, the first Reverse Retro had a few critics. That's taken into consideration with this design.
"We heard all of the feedback - good and bad - that we got from the first Reverse Retro design and tried to make something that would be well received by our fanbase, knowing that you'll never please everyone," Neal said. "So, we set out to make a retro kit that was as true to the original '93 home kit as we could, and I think we nailed it.
"There are a few differences in the construction of the adidas jersey that vary from the old CCM jerseys from '93, the collar being the main one," Neal added. "That had to change up a little, but we tried to stick as close as we could."
Neal also sees the big picture.
If you don't like one jersey, you can get another. If you're in a different target demographic, you can find something that appeals to you. That said, he takes the responsibility very seriously.

"Getting to be the designer of these jerseys is probably the best part of this job," he said. "When I got the opportunity to design the rebrand in 2013, it was an unreal feeling. I'm a lifelong hockey fan myself, and an admitted purist of the game and aesthetic, and I think about the guys on the ice having to wear these designs. I never want to put them in a kit that I know doesn't look great. As I said, you're never going to make everyone happy, but my hope is that the majority of our fans, and hockey fans in general, appreciate the designs."
Gaglardi, who has used the design team for his teams in Canada, as well, said he has fun with the process, as well.
"I've always enjoyed jersey design for all of my teams," he said. "We have some talented folks on our panel."
Jerseys available for preorder include Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Joe Pavelski, Jake Oettinger and Mason Marchment.
Jersey preorders are available now on
hangarhockey.com
and will be available for pick-up or shipping starting November 15. Jerseys will not be available to purchase in store until November 15.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika