Chicago Blackhawks Colors and Logo: A History and Color Codes
Why do the Chicago Blackhawks wear red, orange and green? The story of the Chicago Blackhawks colors, including full color codes
In this article, we look at the history and details of the Chicago Blackhawks logo and colors.
We discuss the different colors and logos that the ice hockey team have used throughout the years- including full details of their CMYK, HEX, RGB and Pantone codes.
A brief history of the Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks were founded by coffee millionaire Fred McLaughlin, when he bought the Portland (Oregon) Rosebuds.
He then renamed them the Blackhawks, moving the team to Chicago in 1926.
The team first made their opening season in 1926-1927, when the Western Canada hockey league collapsed.
McLaughlin chose to call the team the Blackhawks, after the name of his army division.
So, what exactly have the Chicago Blackhawks accomplished?
Major honours and trophies
While the Chicago Blackhawks have not seen a tremendous number of Stanley Cups during their time in the NHL, they’ve certainly made many opportunities for themselves over the years!
The Blackhawks have a perfect record in the Stanley Cup, winning all six times that they have gone.
They won in the 1933-1934, 1937-1938, 1960-1961, 2009-2010, 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 seasons.
Most famous Chicago Blackhawks
A list of the 6 most famous Chicago Blackhawks from throughout the years.
Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull is Chicago’s all-time regular season and career record-holder for goals. He scored 58 goals during the 1968-1969 season and 604 throughout his career.
Hull’s career accolades include three Ross trophies, two Hart trophies, two-time WHA champion, 12-time all-star, and he was a 1964-1965 Byng trophy winner.
Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita, who played for the Blackhawks from 1958-1980, won four Hart trophies, two Ross trophies and he was a two-time Byng trophy winner.
Denis Savard
Denis Savard holds the Blackhawks’ record for the most points in a season with 131 when he recorded 44 goals and 87 assists during the 1987-1988 season,
Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane is one of the “newer” players with the Blackhawks, as he currently plays for the team- and he has since the 2007-2008 season.
During Kane’s time in Chicago, he has won three Stanley Cups. He’s also won the 2012-2013 Smthye trophy, the 2015-2016 Ross trophy and the 2015-2016 Hart trophy.
Keith Duncan
Keith Duncan contributed to three of the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup teams, going to three all-star games.
He won two Norris trophies and the Smythe trophy in 2014-2015.
Duncan played the bulk of his career with the Blackhawks, but he played his last year with the Oilers during the 2021-2022 season.
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews is another current member of the Chicago Blackhawks and he has been a contributing member of all three Stanley Cup teams this century.
He also won the 2009-2010 Smythe Trophy, the 2012-2013 Selke Trophy and the 2014-2015 Messier award.
Why do the Chicago Blackhawks play in red, orange and green?
The colors used by the Chicago Blackhawks represent the colorful feathers of the Native American on the logo.
Throughout the years, this logo has experienced controversy, as it uses an image of a Native American figure without permission.
As part of the indigenous civil rights movement, many people have protested the fact that the Blackhawks continue to use a problematic logo and name for their team.
Chicago Blackhawks colors: CMYK, HEX, RGB and Pantone color codes
Below, find the full color codes for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Blackhawks Red
HEX: #CF0A2C
RGB: (207, 10, 44)
CMYK: (2, 100, 85, 6)
Pantone: PMS 186 C
Blackhawks Black
HEX: #000000
RGB: (0, 0, 0)
CMYK: 75, 68, 67, 90)
Pantone: PMS Process Black C
Blackhawks Yellow
HEX: #FFD100
RGB: (255, 209, 0)
CMYK: (0, 9, 100, 0)
Pantone: PMS 109 C
Blackhawks Orange
HEX: #FF671B
RGB: (255, 103, 27)
CMYK: (0, 74, 98, 0)
Pantone: PMS 165 C
Blackhawks Blue
HEX: #001970
RGB: (0, 25, 112)
CMYK: (100, 96, 24, 21)
Pantone: PMS 2747 C
Blackhawks Gold
HEX: #D18A00
RGB: (209, 138, 0)
CMYK: (17, 49, 100, 2)
Pantone: PMS 131 C
Blackhawks Green
HEX: #00833E
RGB: (0, 131, 62)
CMYK: (96, 2, 100, 12)
Pantone: PMS 348 C
Chicago Blackhawks logo and color history
Let’s look at the history of the Chicago Blackhawks logo!
1926-1935
Designed by Irene Castle, McLaughlin’s wife, the first logo of the Blackhawks team included a picture of a Native American head with a braid and three feathers.
The picture and lettering were white with a black circle.
1935-1937
During this time, the head changed to red and the hair color changed to light brown.
1937-1941
At this time, the black features were turned to white.
1941-1955
This was one of the team’s longest logos, and it started to resemble the current logo.
This logo had softer facial features, more color and more hair. It was also green and black with lines and a red outline.
1955-1957
At this time, red and white stripes were added to the face along with a white line through the hair.
1957-1965
The Native American’s hair changed from white to yellow.
1965-1989
The longest-lasting logo to date had the Native American’s head serving as the crest, with softer facial features. The forehead was also more elongated.
1989-1996
In this logo, there were red and orange feathers in the hair, decorated with white lines and green and yellow trim.
1996-1999
This version of the logo sported a darker face with brighter shades of yellow, green and blue feathers.
This gave the logo a brighter and sharper cut, creating the look of warpaint ready for battle.