The Washington Capitals are entering their 50th season as an NHL franchise and with training camp right around the corner, it’s time to start getting Capital One Arena ready for the first puck drop.
On Tuesday, Washington revealed the brand new center ice logo that the team will employ during the anniversary season.
It features the original script “Capitals” from the team’s 1974 inaugural logo as well as a large “50” to signify the number of seasons the team will have played. The team also noted there are 50 stars in the red center line to re-emphasize that fact.
Washington will be wearing commemorative patches on its uniforms with the same logo throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
In 1974, Washington was awarded an expansion franchise by the NHL, though it was at one point in danger of moving or folding altogether after an abysmal first eight years in the league.
Following a successful fan-based campaign to keep the franchise in the nation’s capital, the team known today for legendary players such as Mike Gartner, Peter Bondra and Alexander Ovechkin evolved over the last half-century.
The team reached its first Stanley Cup Final in 1998 and eventually would lift the Cup 20 years later.
Washington begins its 50th NHL season on Oct. 12 against the New Jersey Devils.