As the hockey world turns its attention to the upcoming Stadium Series game, many are admiring the custom helmets designed for the event. While the focus is on these unique designs, there’s one key figure whose pioneering contribution to the world of hockey helmet aesthetics has gone largely unrecognized — the legendary college hockey coach, Gordon “Red” Berenson.
While much of the attention is on the Red Wings’ helmets for this high-profile event, it’s important to look back at a critical moment in hockey history: the late 1980s and early 1990s when Berenson, then the head coach at the University of Michigan, started a trend that would revolutionize the way hockey teams approached helmet designs.
A Visionary Move: Introducing School-Themed Helmets
In the early 1990s, Berenson introduced the idea of matching hockey helmets to the design of a school’s football team helmets. This was a novel concept at the time, as hockey teams traditionally kept their helmet designs simple and uniform, with little attention paid to customization or incorporating school spirit into the gear. However, Berenson saw an opportunity to create a connection between the two sports — football and hockey — by adding a layer of school pride through unique helmet designs.
Back around 1990/91, Michigan’s hockey team debuted their iconic maize and blue helmets, designed to match the helmet colors and styles of their football counterparts. The bold move was not just a fun way to celebrate school pride but also an innovative design that caught the attention of the hockey community. For Berenson, this idea wasn’t just about style; it was about fostering a connection with the university’s rich sports history while also providing the players with an added sense of identity and pride.
The Ripple Effect: Influence on Other Programs and the NHL
What started as a simple concept at Michigan soon became a trend that spread across college hockey. Following Michigan’s lead, other prestigious programs, including Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State, began to adopt similar helmet designs, matching their hockey helmets to their football team’s colors and logos. What Berenson had started was now a widespread movement, one that changed the way teams thought about their gear.
But the influence didn’t stop at the college level. The NHL soon followed suit, with teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and others incorporating special-themed helmets for outdoor games like the Winter Classic. High school teams, too, took note of the trend, adopting the idea to show school spirit and unity between different sports programs.
These creative designs now appear as a regular feature in the league’s biggest events, such as the Stadium Series and Winter Classic, where teams sport unique helmets that complement their jerseys. What was once considered a groundbreaking move by Berenson has become a mainstream tradition in hockey.
Berenson’s Legacy: More Than Just a Coach
Beyond his role as a coach, Berenson’s contribution to the sport of hockey is often overlooked. He’s one of the winningest coaches in college hockey history, with an illustrious career at the University of Michigan, leading his teams to numerous NCAA tournaments and victories. His innovative thinking on the ice, coupled with his ability to connect with his players and his commitment to the growth of the sport, cemented his place as one of the best to ever do it.
His impact on hockey design, particularly in terms of team helmets, represents only one aspect of his legacy. Berenson’s influence extended beyond strategy and development; it also changed the visual identity of teams, sparking creativity that continues to be embraced by new generations of players, coaches, and fans.
A Call for Recognition
As the Stadium Series game approaches and fans gush over the new helmet designs, it’s time to give credit where credit is due. Gordon “Red” Berenson’s role in shaping the trend of school-themed hockey helmets cannot be overstated. His vision to combine the worlds of college football and hockey in a creative and meaningful way has had a lasting effect on how teams approach their uniforms today.
For all the talk surrounding the latest helmets in professional hockey, it’s important to remember that it was Berenson who laid the groundwork for this popular tradition decades ago. His ingenuity helped to elevate the aesthetics of the game while instilling pride in the players and their schools. As the conversation continues around the latest Stadium Series helmets, let’s take a moment to celebrate the visionary who started it all — Coach Red Berenson.
