The 2024/25 NHL Winter Classic will feature Ukrainian symbols, with the Winnipeg Jets bringing blue and yellow colors to the championship.
According to the official NHL website, this outdoor game will take place in Winnipeg, the capital of the most "Ukrainian" province in Canada, Manitoba. The local NHL club decided to honor the contribution of Ukrainians to the development of this region.
On January 2, 2025, Winnipeg will play against the Anaheim Ducks in the Winter Classic. The event has been named "Ukrainian Heritage." In preparation for this special occasion, the Jets unveiled a new logo in blue and yellow, incorporating the coat of arms of Ukraine.
The logo was designed by artist Andriy Sobchuk, who was born in Lutsk and moved to Canada after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Sobchuk has been collaborating with local sports teams, creating designs not only for the Jets but also for the Manitoba Moose, a team competing in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Merchandise, clothing, and other items featuring the Jets’ "Ukrainian Heritage" logo are already available in the NHL club's fan shops. The range of souvenir products will expand ahead of the holiday season and the January 2 game.
Official data shows that approximately 200,000 people of Ukrainian descent live in Manitoba, representing 14.7% of the province's population, the highest proportion in Canada. Over 110,000 ethnic Ukrainians (15.9%) reside in Winnipeg alone.
