The evolution of UConn hockey uniforms is a fascinating journey, marked by significant design changes and special editions that reflect the program's growth and traditions. This article delves into the history of UConn hockey jerseys, from the late 1960s through the modern era, highlighting key design elements, special editions, and the stories behind the player numbers.
Early Uniform Designs (1968-1977)
1968: UConn simplified its look with a rather plain jersey and pants after years of wild designs. After decades of using navy blue as their primary color, the Huskies lighten it to something closer to navy blue. The helmet logo changes to a Chicago Bears-style "C" with stitches inside to simulate a football shape, a simple-but-clever logo.
1971: UConn becomes the first Yankee Conference team to wear names on the jerseys. The C-with-stitches logo moves from the helmet to the sleeves, making for a very bland helmet. Red is added as a trim color for the first time.
1973: The names are removed, while the helmet goes from white to light blue. The C-with-stitches logo returns to the helmet.
1977: The Huskies switch to a design that lasts well into the 1990s: A white helmet with a script "UConn" on each side - the first time the school moniker appears on the helmets - and jerseys with three stripes on each sleeve.
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The 1980s and 1990s: Evolution and Special Editions
1982: There's nothing too different from the 1977 design, but check out the socks: There's a tiny "U C O N N" going down each side.
1984: Following a trend throughout I-AA/FCS football, the Huskies add names to the jerseys. By this time, blue facemasks appear on the helmets and the red trim disappears.
1989: UConn returns to navy blue, but the rest of the uniform remains virtually the same. The "DEGENNARO" is for Matt Degennaro, a record-setting Husky QB of yore.
1994: Under a new coach (Skip Holtz), UConn makes its biggest overhaul since 1977. Navy blue helmets return with an italicized "UCONN" on each side. (A red outline is added in '95.) A husky logo appears on the sleeves and the pants, which come in both white and navy. UConn freely mixes and matches the shirt-pants combos over the next several seasons. Also note the Yankee Conference patch, first used in 1993 under the old design, and the disappearance of names on the back.
1998: In honor of the school's football centennial, a special patch is worn on the left sleeve. Also this season, the Huskies play their first postseason games in program history when they reach the I-AA playoffs. (During the season, UConn openly pondered a move up to I-A/FBS, so perhaps the '98 playoff run clinched the decision?) One year earlier, the Yankee Conference morphed into the Atlantic 10, and the league patch on the front reflects the move.
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1999: In their final I-AA/FCS season, the Huskies change their look under new coach Randy Edsall. The taller "UConn" logo resembles the one used on the women's basketball jerseys, while drop-shadow numbers (oh-so-trendy in the late 90s) are added. Also note the alternate vertical striping on the shirts, much like what Boston College and the New England Patriots used around this time.
Frozen Fenway Jersey: A Special Homage
Northeastern vs UConn: Huskies Face Off at Frozen Fenway 2023
On Saturday, UConn men’s hockey revealed a special jersey for the Frozen Fenway game featuring the Hook C - UConn baseball’s logo - on the chest. It was a sight to behold. With the showcase game at the historic Fenway Park in Boston, Mike Cavanaugh knew the Huskies needed to do something to honor the Huskies’ baseball team.
“We wanted to pay homage to our baseball team and the program that not only Jim (Penders) has built but Coach (Andy) Baylock and everybody before him,” Cavanaugh explained. “It's got such great tradition and when you play at Fenway, I think it was only right to honor our baseball team and their program.”
The process surrounding these specific jerseys began over the summer, but the idea first popped into Cavanaugh’s head when UConn played its first Frozen Fenway game back in 2017. But UConn’s apparel partner Nike needed more time to design and make them, so that idea got dropped. After that, the team tried to place a Hook C patch on the jerseys but ran into trademark issues.
As a result, the Huskies were the only team in the event not to wear a unique jersey back in 2017. Cavanaugh wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again.
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UConn wasn’t confirmed for the Frozen Fenway until late in the summer. That gave the Huskies a window of only a few months in order to craft the uniform.
The first order of business? Get permission from Penders to use the logo.
“I went and asked Jim, ‘Would you have a problem with this?’ And he was like, ‘Absolutely not. I think that would be awesome.’ So he was all for it,” Cavanaugh shared.
Even though Penders doesn’t view himself as the keeper of the Hook C, Cavanaugh still wanted his permission.
“I could go on and bookstore and buy [a Hook C hat],” Cavanaugh said, “but I just wanted his buy-in…I just think it's the right thing to do.”
Director of Hockey Operations Joe Ferriss ran point on the project. He found a supplier who could work within the time constraints and the design started to come together. Initially, the jersey featured the Hook C on its own but after some discussion, the team decided that adding the “Connecticut” wordmark across the chest looked better.
It wasn’t perfect - UConn would’ve preferred a stitched jersey instead of screen printed - but that ultimately made little difference. The players loved it - Matthew Wood wrote “What a jersey” on Instagram and others shared that sentiment - while the first batch available to fans on the UConn Husky Shop sold out in a matter of minutes.
“It's obviously a good thing for marketing and branding your program and generating interest - and the fans love it,” Cavanaugh said.
Even with the instant popularity, UConn won’t wear them again. They were planned as a one-off and will stay that way - especially after the players were given the jerseys to keep after practice on Monday.
Saturday wasn’t the first time UConn men’s hockey used the Hook C on a jersey.
The Hockey East Era: Player Numbers and Their History
UConn men’s hockey finally released its official roster for the upcoming season and unveiled the jersey numbers for its seven new players in the process. Let’s dive into the (Hockey East Era) history behind each player’s number.
Here is a look at some notable jersey numbers and the players who have worn them during the Hockey East Era:
| Number | Player | Notable Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kam Hendrickson | Tanner Creel (2014-18), Ryan Keane (2019-23) |
| 2 | Brendan Dunphy | Yan Kuznetsov (2019-21), Derek Pratt (2014-18) |
| 22 | Alexandre Blais | Hudson Schandor (2020-25), Justin Howell (2016-20) |
| 24 | Carlin Dezainde | Ben Freeman (2016-20), Mark D’Agostino (2022-24) |
| 27 | Joseph Odyniec | Max Letunov (2015-18), Harrison Rees (2019-24) |
| 28 | Anthony Allain-Samaké | Ryan Tverberg (2020-23), Joey Ferriss (2012-16) |
| 31 | Ryan Sanborn | Rob Nichols (2013-17), Callum Tung (2024-25) |
No. 1 - Kam Hendrickson: Throughout his career, Hendrickson has donned No. 1 at every level. He wore it at Chanhassen High School in Minnesota, with Team USA at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, in juniors with the Omaha Lancers and now with the Huskies. Unsurprisingly, No. 1 has been the most popular jersey number among goalies during UConn’s Hockey East Era.
No. 2 - Brendan Dunphy: A staple digit for defenseman, Dunphy picks up No. 2 from Pascucci, who left for Canisius over the offseason. At 6-5, he’ll be the biggest player to wear it, narrowly beating out the 6-4 Yan Kuznetsov.
No. 22 - Alexandre Blais: Aside from UConn’s first year in the league, 22 has been in constant use during the Hockey East Era. Blais keeps the same jersey number that he had in juniors, though it carries added significance with the Huskies since Schandor just vacated it. While the number shouldn’t be retired in honor of Schandor, it should be the first one inducted into a hockey version of the Huskies of Honor at Toscano Family Ice Forum - alongside John Spetz’s No. 18, of course.
No. 24 - Carlin Dezainde: Dezainde has rocked a handful of digits throughout his career - 9, 19, 39 - but sticks with his most recent number, which he wore after being traded to the Swift Current Broncos midway through last season. While D’Agostino had it last, 24 hasn’t been worn in a game for UConn since Mar. 5, 2022 - Teleguine’s last appearance with the Huskies.
No. 27 - Joseph Odyniec: Odyniec, a Connecticut native, has a lot to live up to with No. 27. All three players who wore it previously were major contributors - Letunov departed as the Hockey East Era leader in career points, Rees has played the second-most career games while Carabin was a key blue liner in UConn’s magical season.
No. 28 - Anthony Allain-Samaké: While Allain-Samaké wore No. 26 with the Sioux City Musketeers last season, that number is taken by Mike Murtagh. Instead of opting for a number in the 40s, which he wore on other previous stops, he’ll become the first d-man to wear No. 28 for the Huskies.
No. 31 - Ryan Sanborn: Though a popular number for goalies, it hasn’t been used much at UConn. Regardless, Sanborn benefits from Tung’s decision to turn pro after last season. While the Connecticut native has typically rocked No. 30, those digits belong to fellow goaltender Tyler Muszelik at the moment.
Other Fun Facts:
- None of UConn’s returners changed their number.
- Though not a new player, Kevin Fitzgerald is No. 2. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
- Every number 1-24 has been worn by at least two players.
- Only three players have picked a jersey number above 35: Jarrod Gourley (60), Matthew Wood (71) and Ethan Whitcomb (71).
- No. 6 has been used continuously by four good defensemen: Johnny Austin (2014-18), Ryan Wheeler (2018-22), Andrew Lucas (2022-24) and Viking Gustafsson Nyberg (2024-present).
- No. 8 has produced a lot of goals - 117 to be exact. All three players currently in the top 10 for career goals in UConn’s Hockey East Era: Spencer Naas (49, first), Carter Turnbull (34, tied for sixth), Joey Muldowney (34, tied for sixth).