New NHL Jerseys Feature 50% Recycled Material and 'Dimensional Embroidery'

In an effort to make its upcoming season a little more eco-friendly, the NHL announced a league-wide jersey change to Adidas ADIZERO Primegreen sweaters, which are made with a minimum 50% recycled material.

Other sports teams and leagues have taken advantage of the many environmental advancements in sportswear recently. Adidas created jerseys made from recycled ocean waste for MLS soccer teams and Real Madrid, and New Era created hats for the Denver Broncos made from recycled plastic, too.

To see a major sports league issue a sweeping rule and changing the uniforms for all of their teams is noteworthy, though.

What’s also noteworthy here is the way the jerseys use a decoration technique called “dimensional embroidery” to add a greater detail to the team logo, according to SportsLogos.net.

Some of those dimensional embroidery details are subtle, like adding a bit of texture to the Edmonton Oilers’ drop logo or the Pittsburgh penguin’s gloves.

Included with this announcement is the introduction of "Dimensional Embroidery" to NHL jersey crests.

For example, check out the new details on the Edmonton Oilers jersey logo!

Many more examples in my post here: https://t.co/Mvo2frvihy pic.twitter.com/pXECdi5xu2

— SportsLogos.Net (@sportslogosnet) September 27, 2021

For teams like the Rangers, it allows them to create logos that pop more than they had before, with features like beveled embroidered fonts.

Introducing the all-new authentic ADIZERO Primegreen jersey. Made in part with recycled materials, designed for the players and fans, and formed for the future of our planet.

Plastic waste is a problem. Innovation is our solution because together we can help #EndPlasticWaste. pic.twitter.com/1TXuBUAtcA

— x - New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 27, 2021

The jerseys will also use embroidered logo patches on the shoulder.

Also, all NHL jersey shoulder patches will now feature embroidered logos... there will be no more of those flat, almost print-like lightweight patches which had started appearing in the last few seasons.

More here: https://t.co/Mvo2frvihy pic.twitter.com/nz1UmCephZ

— SportsLogos.Net (@sportslogosnet) September 27, 2021

With more environmentally friendly apparel developing all the time, it's a safe bet that other sports leagues will adopt rules like this. And the dimensional embroidery adds a very cool touch to a logo—whether it's the team's or a sponsor on the front.