Since the Blackhawks formally announced the first wave of their 100th Season plans, fans have been patiently waiting for a peek at the Centennial jersey.

That wait is over.

The Blackhawks released the details on Friday morning:

“The Blackhawks sweater has consistently been voted the best jersey in sports by players and fans alike,” Blackhawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said in a press release. “For our Centennial season, we wanted to honor that iconic symbol of Chicago’s hockey heritage that has remained largely unchanged since 1955. While the classic elements of the jersey stay the same, thoughtful design details make this jersey unique – melding past and present while proving that the best traditions transcend trends.”

From the Blackhawks’ press release:

• Strokes of gold around the chain-stitched Blackhawks crest and back numbers, inspired by the gold-trimmed sweaters worn in the earliest days of Blackhawks hockey.

• A Centennial shoulder patch to exemplify Chicago’s 100 years of hockey, while the other shoulder dons the secondary mark in a refined metallic gold.

• A vintage lace-up collar that brings a new twist to the original 1955 red jersey alongside a scripted “Always an Original” message tucked inside, a mash-up of elements that both honor the past and look toward the future of changing the game. 

• An inside hem showcasing the six Stanley Cup victory years, as well as a metallic gold Centennial hem tag that anchors the design in the team’s historic championship legacy

We here at CHGO Blackhawks love the design.

Jay Zawaski: “I’m so glad they didn’t stray too far from the classic, here. The Hawks sweater is the best in hockey, and while there are small changes and tweaks here and there, this is a traditional Blackhawks sweater, as it should be. There was no need to overthink this. The ties give it the desired retro feel. I’m somewhat surprised there’s no white around the collar, but I think I like the solid black. It seems to make the logo pop. We’ll have a better feel for the whole thing once we see it on the players, but I’m very happy with this design.”

Mario Tirabassi: “I am ecstatic that the Blackhawks are not reinventing the wheel with their Centennial Season sweaters. The logo and sweater design are THE BEST in the league, so why mess with it? That being said, I am actually surprised they went this direction, given the opportunity to showcase something flashier and potentially cash in on limited-edition or specialty sweaters. Nevertheless, these are going to look great because they always do.”

The Blackhawks’ draft picks will be wearing the Centennial Season sweaters tonight at the NHL Draft.

Preorders are available now at CBHShop.com. The jerseys are expected to arrive by late September, just in time for the NHL season.

All images courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks via Fanatics