The Ottawa Senators logo stands as one of the most recognizable emblems in professional hockey. It shows a Roman centurion’s head in profile, with a red plume and black and gold wings, and it represents Canada’s capital city franchise in the National Hockey League.
This logo sits within a broader tradition of NHL logos that blend regional identity with athletic imagery. The current flat version was announced in September 2020, but the centurion itself dates to the team’s first logo, unveiled in 1991.
Ottawa’s hockey roots stretch back to the 1880s with the original Senators, who played in the NHL from 1917 to 1934. The modern team was approved by the NHL in December 1990 and began play in 1992-93.
What is the Ottawa Senators Logo?
The Ottawa Senators logo is a Roman centurion’s head in profile inside a gold laurel circle, with a large red plume and winged shapes behind it. The centurion first appeared in the 1991 logo by Tony Milchard. The current flat, two-dimensional version was announced as the team’s primary logo on September 18, 2020.
| Symbol | A Roman centurion in profile with a red plume, inside a gold laurel circle with black and gold wings |
| Designer/agency | Tony Milchard (original 1991 centurion); the 2020 redraw is not publicly credited |
| Current version since | 2020 (announced September 18, 2020) |
| Colors (hex) | Red approx. #DA1A32, gold approx. #B79257, black #000000, white #FFFFFF (third-party values; the team does not publish hex codes) |
| Typeface | Custom lettering, not a commercial font; fan-made “NHL Ottawa” look-alike fonts exist |
| Previous major version | 2007-2020 front-facing 3D centurion face |
How Has the Ottawa Senators Logo Evolved Over Time?
The centurion has stayed at the heart of the brand, but its drawing has changed several times. The history graphic above also shows the original Senators’ 1917-1934 “O,” which belongs to a different franchise. The modern evolution runs from the 1992 original to a detailed version in the late 1990s, a front-facing 3D face in 2007, and a return to the classic profile in 2020.
Original Senators “O” Logo (1917-1934)
When the original Senators played in the NHL from 1917 to 1934, they wore a large “O” in red and black on a striped field. This “O” is the origin of the modern team’s alternate “O” marks.
First Centurion Logo (1992-1997)
Tony Milchard, a British-born artist in the team’s marketing department, drew the original logo. It was unveiled on May 23, 1991, and shows a Roman general in profile in a gold circle with “Ottawa Senators” lettered inside the circle. Fans and media were skeptical at first, and one comment compared it to the American Express logo.
Revised Centurion Logo (1997-2007)
The team name was removed from the gold circle and replaced by laurels, with the centurion drawn in more detail. Different sources date the change to 1996 or 1997.
Front-Facing 3D Logo (2007-2020)
In August 2007 the team introduced new jerseys tied to Reebok’s EDGE uniforms. The primary logo became an updated version of the old secondary logo, a front-facing centurion face with 3D shading. Many fans disliked it. The old circular “O” appeared on the shoulder.
Current Logo (2020-Present)
On September 18, 2020, the team returned to a flat two-dimensional centurion in profile, now with a gold outline instead of red. No designer has been publicly credited for the redraw.
Heritage “O” Third Jersey (2011)
For the 2011-12 season, the team’s 20th anniversary, a black third jersey with barber-pole stripes and a large “O” was introduced. It echoes the original Senators’ “O” and is a secondary mark, not a replacement for the centurion.
What Do the Design Elements of the Ottawa Senators Logo Mean?
The centurion is tied to the team’s name. The branding was based on the ancient Roman Senate, according to team founder Bruce Firestone, and Ottawa is home to the Canadian Senate. Beyond that connection, the team has not published a detailed explanation of each element.
The gold laurel circle echoes Roman wreaths. The wings and plume add speed and motion.
Why Did the Ottawa Senators Choose These Specific Colors?
The team’s colors are red, black, white, and gold. Apart from the gold, they match those of the original Senators. The team has not published a symbolic meaning for each color, so claims that gold stands for the Senate or red for Canadian identity are interpretation.
Red and black create strong contrast on the ice, and the gold adds a metallic accent.
What Are the Ottawa Senators Logo Colors?
No official hex values are published by the team. These third-party values are the most widely cited for the current logo, so treat them as approximate:
- Red: approx. #DA1A32, the plume and jersey trim
- Gold: approx. #B79257, the helmet and laurel circle
- Black: #000000
- White: #FFFFFF
The 2007-2020 logo used slightly different values, such as red #C52032 and gold #C2912C. Pantone matches vary between sites. Read more on a color palette and its RGB, CMYK, and Pantone values before you reproduce it.
What Font Does the Ottawa Senators Logo Use?
The centurion logo has no typography in the current version, and the “Ottawa Senators” wordmark was dropped from the circle in the late 1990s. Jersey numbers and names use custom lettering, with sharp, angular cuts and small flared details.
The team has not released this as a commercial font, and fan-made fonts named after the team only imitate it. The same goes for the typeface on the jerseys, so you won’t find the exact one in any font licensing library.
Does the Ottawa Senators Logo Have Hidden Meanings?
There is no documented hidden message in the logo. Claims about a hidden “S” in the plume or architectural nods to Parliament are not supported by any source I found.
What is documented is the link to the Roman Senate and to Ottawa’s role as the capital. Even the psychology of shapes in the circle and sweeping wings is interpretation, not an official statement.
How Does the Ottawa Senators Logo Compare to Competitor Logos?
Within Canadian NHL franchises, Ottawa takes a unique approach. The Toronto Maple Leafs logo uses a natural symbol. The Montreal Canadiens logo relies on letterforms.
Ottawa chose human imagery. This sets them apart from teams such as the Vancouver Canucks or Calgary Flames, which lean on an orca and a flame.
The centurion finds some parallel in the Vegas Golden Knights logo. Both use helmet imagery, but Ottawa’s execution is classical while Vegas goes medieval.
Among Eastern Conference rivals, the Buffalo Sabres logo and Detroit Red Wings logo also rely on strong symbols.
What Cultural Impact Has the Ottawa Senators Logo Had?
The centurion became synonymous with Ottawa hockey. Fans still favor Milchard’s original logo, which the team used until 2007, and some have called for its return.
The 2020 return to a flat centurion was the team’s answer to fans who disliked the 3D face. The team also revived the 1992-93 look in its 2020-21 Reverse Retro jersey.
How Does the Ottawa Senators Logo Fit Into the Overall Brand Identity?
The home jersey is black with red trim, and the away jersey is white with black and red trim. The centurion appears on the chest, and the team plays at the Canadian Tire Centre, which opened as the Palladium in 1996. For a primer on how identity systems work, see this brand guidelines overview and this brand style guide explainer.
The mascot Spartacat embodies a friendlier version of the Roman theme and makes the brand accessible to younger fans.
How Should the Ottawa Senators Logo Be Used?
This is general advice, not the club’s own rules. The Senators logo is a trademark, and commercial use requires a license from the club and the league. Selling merchandise with the logo without permission can lead to legal action.
Personal, non-commercial fan content and editorial coverage are generally tolerated, but that is not a license. Keep the proportions intact and avoid recoloring the logo or placing it on busy backgrounds. Knowing the basics of vector graphics and JPEG files helps when choosing a format for fan projects.
FAQ on the Ottawa Senators Logo
What Does the Ottawa Senators Logo Represent?
The logo shows a Roman centurion, linked to the Roman Senate and to Ottawa’s role as Canada’s capital, where the Canadian Senate sits. Team founder Bruce Firestone has said the branding was based on the Roman Senate.
When Was the Current Ottawa Senators Logo Introduced?
The flat two-dimensional centurion was announced as the new primary logo on September 18, 2020. It replaced the front-facing 3D face used from 2007.
The change followed fan criticism of the 3D design and returned the team to its classic design elements.
Who Designed the Ottawa Senators Logo?
Tony Milchard, a British-born artist in the team’s marketing department, designed the original centurion logo unveiled in 1991. No designer has been publicly credited for the 2007 or 2020 versions.
What Was the Old Ottawa Senators Logo?
The 1992 original shows a centurion in profile in a gold circle, with “Ottawa Senators” lettered around it. It was revised in the late 1990s with laurels in place of the text. From 2007 to 2020 the primary logo was a front-facing 3D centurion face.
What Are the Official Colors of the Ottawa Senators Logo?
The team colors are red, black, white, and gold. The team does not publish hex values; widely cited approximations are red #DA1A32 and gold #B79257.
Learn more about hue if you want to match them.
Why Did the Ottawa Senators Choose a Centurion for Their Logo?
The team name refers to the Senate in Canada’s capital. According to founder Bruce Firestone, the branding was based on the ancient Roman Senate, so a Roman figure was chosen.
Has the Ottawa Senators Logo Changed Over the Years?
Yes. The centurion appeared in 1991, was revised in the late 1990s, became a front-facing 3D face in 2007, and returned to a flat profile in 2020.
What Is the Ottawa Senators “O” Logo?
The “O” is a nod to the original Senators, who wore a large “O” from 1917 to 1934. The modern team put an “O” on its 2007 shoulder patch and on its 2011 third jersey, and it remains a secondary mark.
What Font Does the Ottawa Senators Logo Use?
There is no font in the logo itself. The jerseys use custom lettering, and fan-made fonts only imitate it, and there is no official release.
The lettering supports clear visual hierarchy on the jersey.
Can I Use the Ottawa Senators Logo for Personal Projects?
Personal, non-commercial use is generally tolerated, but the logo is a trademark. Commercial use or selling merchandise requires a license.
Conclusion
The Ottawa Senators logo stands as a distinctive mark in NHL team branding. That centurion does more than identify a hockey club. It ties the team to Canada’s capital and its Senate.
Good logo design principles show up throughout. The balance between the plume, the wings, and the laurel circle works well, and the 2020 return to a flat profile settled a long fan debate.
The team’s history is also a good example of minimalist design winning out over a heavier 3D drawing.
Sources
- Wikipedia, History of the Ottawa Senators (since 1992) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Ottawa_Senators_(since_1992)
- Wikipedia, Ottawa Senators – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Senators
- Bruce Firestone, Meet the British soccer fan who designed the Ottawa Senators logo – https://brucemfirestone.com/meet-the-british-soccer-fan-who-designed-the-ottawa-senators-logo/
- Senshot, Ottawa Senators officially announce 2D logo – https://senshot.com/2020/09/20/ottawa-senators-officially-announce-2d-logo
- Team Color Codes, Ottawa Senators color codes – https://teamcolorcodes.com/ottawa-senators-color-codes/
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008. Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients. His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8. He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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