Tampa Bay Lightning Unveil New ‘Classic Look’ Logo, Uniforms For 2011-12

After postponing the original announcement, the Tampa Bay Lightning returned to the St. Pete Times Forum on Monday to unveil their new uniforms and new logo. We’ll let the experts over at Raw Charge explain the new look.

The words “bold”, “classic” and “iconic” were used to describe the new look, which is radically different than what has been associated with the team in the past.

The most striking and obvious difference in the uniforms is the absence of black and silver. The home uniform is blue (“Tampa Bay Blue”) with wide, white stripes and features a redesigned white Lightning crest, which is still basically a lightning bolt within a circle (although more of an oval shape) and no lettering while the road uniform is white with the words “Tampa Bay” in blue above a blue crest. Both uniforms have round shoulder patches that feature the crest with the words “Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Club”.

Gone are the lightning bolts on the pants as well as the “victory stripes” under the arms, both elements that have been part of the Lightning uniform since the original design by team founder Phil Esposito. “I think it’s good. It’s certainly a more classic look. Things change over time and this is part of the direction that ownership wants to take the club. I support it 100%”, said Esposito.

Read more over at Raw Charge. Fans seem to have a mixed reaction.