Canadiens Primary Logo
The Montreal Canadiens are one of the most iconic hockey teams in the world, and their primary logo has been a part of this tradition since 1909. The original logo featured a letter ‘C’ with two crossed hockey sticks behind it, which team captain Jack Laviolette designed. This design lasted until 1917 when they changed to an image of an “Habitant man” wearing traditional clothing from Quebec province in Canada. This design remained unchanged for over 50 years until 1967, when it was modified slightly to add more detail to the habitant man's face and clothes.
In 1992, the Canadiens made another change and updated their logo with an illustration depicting three maple leafs on top of each other inside a circle surrounded by several stars representing Canada's provinces at that time - Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia & New Brunswick; as well as French words "Le Club de Hockey Canadien" above them all. In 2017 they decided once again to update their logo using modernized versions of both designs combined into one unified symbol: A red 'C' containing two crossed hockey sticks behind it, surrounded by three maple leaves atop each other placed within blue circles encircled in white stars representing Canadian provinces.
The history surrounding Montreal Canadien's primary logos is rich with symbolism that reflects its place among some oldest professional sports franchises today, ensuring every fan feels connected through generations despite changes throughout time. Through these various designs, we can see how much care has gone into preserving this legacy while embracing new ideas – something that will undoubtedly continue for many years!
2000 - Present
The change to the current logo is again a closed red letter “C,” with its top and bottom edges curling into each other in a symmetrical shape. The “C” and the “H” are fused together. All enclosed by a thick blue outline.
1957 - 1999
In 1957, the logo stay in tack with again modifications to the letter “C.” The opening side of the letter “C” is now closed. The red large letter “C” still has a blue outline with the small letter “H.”
1948 - 1956
The Canadiens did some modifications to the letter “C” in the 1948 logo. The thick blue outline still goes around the logo red large letter “C” and the small letter “H” in white.
1933 - 1947
The blue trim was thickened all around the logo in 1933, creating a tighter, sharper look. This crest lasted more than a decade.
1926 - 1932
In 1926 the large “C” shape change slightly and now a blue outline is around the complete logo.
1923 - 1925
The 1923 logo is the same as the 1921 Canadiens logo with the red letter “C” and a white “H” with blue outline.
1922
The 1922 logo reverted back to the 1918 logo, however the large red letter “C” straightens out on the bottom of the “C” and is flat. The white with blue outline “H” is the same as the original.
1920 - 1921
The logo in 1920 was the most experimental, the red was darker and the “H” was filled in. This design has a lot more symmetry to it than the logos directly preceding and following it.
1918 - 1919
The “H” stands for hockey. The crest was changed to represent the new team name, “Le club de Hockey Canadien.” The logo features a large red letter “C” with a white letter “H” with blue outline.
1914 - 1917
The 1912 – 1913 logo is the first bearing much resemblance to today’s logo. The “A” combines with the “C” to represent “CAC”. So the “C” is used twice. The logo is a large red letter “C” with a small capitalized red letter “A” with a blue outline.
1913
This red, white and blue version from 1911 – 1912 upped the letter count to three “CAC,” representing the words Club, Athletique and Canadiens. The white maple leaf with a red outline is surrounding the letters.
1912
In 1912 the Canadiens changed back to the letter “C.” Now a red with blue trim old english letter “C.”
1911
The 1911 logo was introduced as a green maple leaf and a white old english “C” which stood for Canadien Athletic.
1910
Montreal’s first logo was very simple. There was no “H” to speak of yet, just a blue stylish “C” to symbolize Club Athletique Canadien. The Canadiens wore it for one season only.
