The New York Islanders have announced the winner of their fan-created third jersey contest, selecting a navy lighthouse design for the 2027-28 season. This marks a historic first in the NHL, as the team allowed fans to directly influence the design of an official team uniform.
The winning design features orange and teal piping, with white and orange numbering, and prominently displays the lighthouse logo in the center. This logo, previously used as a shoulder patch in the late 1990s, was an early favorite among fans. It narrowly defeated a navy and cream uniform that featured the "Islanders" text.
Fans submitted designs through an online portal, with the team narrowing down over 80,000 entries to eight finalists. A "March Madness-style fan vote" on social media determined the ultimate winner. The Islanders plan to work with Fanatics to refine the final uniform based on the chosen design.
"The Islanders would like to thank every fan who contributed a design, shared their feedback, and participated in the voting process to help shape the future of the franchise’s visual identity," Islanders president of business operations Kelly Cheeseman stated. "This contest was launched to break down traditional barriers, giving the fans a direct voice in shaping our new look. We are excited to move forward and create the full uniform that our fanbase will be proud to call theirs."
Cheeseman also noted the involvement of current and former players in the process, with several skaters, including Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and alumni like Bryan Trottier, offering their input. The team views this fan-driven initiative as a significant step in engaging its fanbase and shaping its visual identity for the future.