Jostens has been synonymous with the championship ring, which is the ultimate achievement in sports, for decades.
Chris Poitras, who manages Jostens’ Professional Sports Division as General Manager and Senior Vice President, believes that the craftsmanship behind every ring has evolved into something more substantial than merely a trophy.
Poitras discussed the process of creating the 2025 Stanley Cup ring for the Florida Panthers during an interview with R.org.
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Considering that every design is an opportunity to convey a distinct narrative about the team and season.
“The best part about these rings is how far they’ve come through the evolution of technology, manufacturing, and process innovation,” Poitras explained. “Every ring we create is essentially a blank canvas now. That’s what makes it so exciting — we have the ability to tell every story a team wants to tell, because the space and the possibilities have expanded so much.”
Jostens’ craftsmanship has expanded beyond just the top and sides of the ring to include the inside, bottom, and even removable tops, providing endless creative possibilities. This evolution has transformed each ring into a multidimensional time capsule of the championship journey.
Balancing Legacy and Innovation
Collaboration is the starting point for designing a championship ring. Jostens works hand-in-hand with team executives, ownership groups, and players to determine which stories deserve to be immortalized in gold and gemstones..
“The key is finding balance — figuring out which stories are the most important to tell,” Poitras shared. “We bring our partners ideas, concepts, and creative direction, and from there, it becomes a true collaboration.”
The interaction between Jostens and its partners often leads to fresh ideas about what constitutes a team’s identity. According to Poitras, teams usually uncover overlooked narratives or choose to prioritize elements that embody the player experience over fan recognition.
“A lot of times, teams will say, ‘You know what? We hadn’t even thought of that as part of our story,'” Poitras said. That’s where the real magic happens — when the design becomes a living reflection of what made their journey special.
Honoring the Panthers’ Legacy and the Viola Vision
This year’s ring is significant for the Florida Panthers because it commemorates a second consecutive Stanley Cup victory and the franchise’s evolving identity under the Viola ownership group.
“The Violas are incredible people — generous and visionary,” said Poitras. “When they purchased the team, they redesigned the uniforms and introduced key brand elements that were deeply meaningful to them. We’re excited to help bring those details to life on the top of this ring.”
The Panthers’ 2025 ring is a tribute to the players’ accomplishments and the broader evolution of the franchise’s culture and community presence, as it blends tradition, innovation, and championship pride.
Crafting History, One Ring at a Time
Jostens is committed to pushing the boundaries of design and storytelling in each championship ring it produces, from the NFL to the NHL. Poitras and his team make an effort to record a moment in time, a symbol of victory, and a legacy that can endure the tests of time.
“Every team has its own history, its own traditions, and sometimes even multiple championships across decades,” Poitras reflected. “Our job is to strike that perfect balance and tell their story in the most meaningful way possible.”
Championship rings are now more than just jewelry. They are works of art that commemorate greatness, and Jostens is showing the Panthers’ most recent masterpiece.
Jostens’ Chris Poitras Reacts to Designing the Florida Panthers’ 2025 Stanley Cup Ring