Hurricanes, Capitals arrive in throwback attire for Stadium Series

The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals went with throwback looks for their arrival at the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Saturday.

The Hurricanes sported matching plaid golf attire and the Capitals wore varsity jackets as they arrived at Carter-Finley Stadium before the Stadium Series matchup.

Carolina players donned identical black, white and red plaid knickers and newsboy hats, black sweaters and white golf shoes. Some Hurricanes also carried in golf clubs.

The outfits were inspired by the Hurricanes' favorite offseason hobby, which won in a team vote. Forward Stefan Noesen handled the designing of the outfits.

"I think they look good," Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin said.

"It was a team decision," Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook said. "We had a couple different things and this was the one that got the most votes... We got to give it up to [Hurricanes forward] Stefan Noesen. He reached out to call Golf Knickers [the apparel company]. ... They got it to us in like a week. We got shoes in like three days. So it's been a big, big shout out to Stef because he was the one that did the logistical stuff."

Washington, on the other hand, decided it was time to head back to school. Or at least they were dressed for it.

They arrived in a yellow school bus in themed varsity letter jackets, a nod to playing at North Carolina State University's football home.

The Capitals were decked out in the custom jackets [heavily influenced by their Stadium Series jerseys], jeans and matching toques. Many of them also carried footballs off the team bus.

The idea was the brainchild of forward T.J. Oshie and unique jackets were designed by DC Proper, a Washington D.C.-based apparel company.

"It was good [arrival]. They're cool [varsity jackets]," head coach Peter Laviolette said. "Football feel to it for sure and it was nice."

The jackets featured each player's number and names of their family members on the right side, the Capitals three-star logo on the left and the Stadium Series logo on the left arm.

"We wanted to incorporate family as a part of our [jacket] design and the DC logo and the Weagle on the back. So a little bit of everything," forward Lars Eller said. "We wanted to tie all those things together and the family added a personal touch to it. I think it came out really nice."

Whether they players are hitting the golf course or the books, the competition is just getting started.

NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price, senior director of editorial Shawn Roarke and staff writer Tom Gulitti contributed to this report