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NY Islanders Fans Give Mixed Reactions to Winning Design Concept for Third Jersey

The New York Islanders' inaugural Third Jersey design contest has now come to a close with "Navy Lighthouse" being declared the winner. Here's how fans have reacted online following the conclusion of the fan vote.

Jennifer Streeter

Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New York Islanders logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New York Islanders logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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The New York Islanders have unveiled the Navy Lighthouse design as the winner of the organization’s inaugural fan-driven Third Jersey design contest following 80,490 design submissions.

"Navy Lighthouse" winning means it will now serve as the Islanders' third jersey concept for the 2027-28 season — the first time in NHL history that a franchise has allowed a fanbase to assist in designing an official on-ice sweater.

The original concept will now undergo a process refining the digital submission into a full, NHL-ready kit. Per the Isles' media release, during this stage the team will review the additional design ideas submitted by fans during the voting process to continue to both refine and enhance the 2027-28 official third jersey.

The final version of the uniform will maintain the integrity of the originally winning design while additionally meeting all league standards for its debut on the ice at UBS Arena during the 2027-28 season.

The designer of the winning concept is expected to be announced soon and will also be honored by the organization with a team-signed version of the new jersey and will receive tickets to attend its official on-ice debut during the 2027-28 season. 

Kelly Cheeseman, President of Business Operations for the Islanders and UBS Arena expressed gratitude to all Islanders' fans for making this contest a success.

“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,’’ said Cheeseman. "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.”

With the contest now in the rearview — fans have since reacted with mixed opinions. Many are happy with the design chosen, while others find the look of the kit to be a bit generic.

Isles Fans Awaiting Final Design of Navy Lighthouse Design Following Contest Win

One hour prior to voting ending at 5:00 p.m. EST on Aug. 20, the opposing final design option of "Navy Islanders" had 48.2% of the vote compared to 51.8% for the previously mentioned lighthouse kit.

"LET’S GOOOOOOOO!!!! They got the final winner correct!!!! That’s awesome," one Islanders fan wrote online.

"Thank you for not going with the other option," said another.

Forward Mathew Barzal would announce the navy lighthouse design as the winner in a video posted by the team on social media.

New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal
Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"So the winning submission out of 80,000+ was a lighthouse logo on the worlds most basic design. Just tell us you wanted a blue jersey with a lighthouse logo," another sports fan said on X.

The navy blue jersey features a lighthouse as the crest with orange and teal stripes adorning the bottom and sleeves. Over 80,000 submissions were finalized down to a final eight — which saw orange designs (such as the one from contestant Adam Barcia) quickly eliminated in earlier rounds.

"It should have been the orange. The navy blue looks just like the Rangers, Blue Jackets, Vancouver etc. Completely generic," said someone else across social media.

"So the winning submission out of 80,000+ was a lighthouse logo on the worlds most basic design. Just tell us you wanted a blue jersey with a lighthouse logo," another unsatisfied fan said.

The lighthouse design was chosen after having survived all three voting rounds.

"Why is everyone hating, these are sick," asked one fan.

Other fans are also hoping shoulder patches — such as the 2024 Stadium Series shoulder patches — be added to the final design for color balancing.

The Islanders and Fanatics will now begin the collaborative process of refining the digital submission.

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Jennifer Streeter
JENNIFER STREETER

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