Hockey jersey

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Display of 1959-60 Montreal Canadiens jersey worn by Maurice Richard Maurice Richard jersey.JPG
Display of 1959-60 Montreal Canadiens jersey worn by Maurice Richard

A hockey jersey is a piece of clothing worn by ice hockey players to cover the upper part of their bodies. They also are worn by fans to show support for a team, or to create ties to a hometown or region.

Contents

A "hockey sweater" is terminology originating from the sport's earlier days when the game was predominantly played outside during winter and where the sweaters worn by players was a warm wool-knit covering. This term has fallen out of standard since the switch to polyester.

Design

Back of the France men's national ice hockey team jersey, circa 2008 Maillot EDF arriere.jpg
Back of the France men's national ice hockey team jersey, circa 2008

Hockey jerseys, today often referred to as sweaters, are typically made of tough synthetic materials like polyester, to help take away moisture and keep the wearer dry. Most professional ice hockey teams sell replica sweaters of their famous players at sports memorabilia stores, as well as being available at arenas.

For most leagues around the world, in accordance with the team's colours and matching the socks, they are usually emblazoned with the team's logo on the front, the player's last name on the upper back, and a designated number below, from 0 to 99. A team captain wears an uppercase "C" above and to the right of the team logo on their sweaters (although a few NHL teams have the letter above and to the left). Two other players, designated alternate captains, wear an uppercase "A" on theirs.

Sweaters worn in European leagues and tournaments are adorned with sponsor advertisements, a concept borrowed from football jerseys. The NHL first allowed ads on jerseys in the 2022-23 season. [1]

Alternate Jerseys

Many hockey leagues across the globe also have an additional third or alternate jersey, like the NHL. These jerseys usually have a special design as the crest and are sometimes part of a special event or leaguewide initiative, such as the Winter Classic or Stadium Series. However, many other leagues have different alternate jerseys for many different things. For example, the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL rebrand to the "Sioux Falls Fighting Wiener Dogs" [2] for a night and wear a special jersey with a group of dachshunds stampeding forwards, although they changed the logo to a dachshund holding a hockey stick.

NHL teams also have special nights [3] where they recognize a significant cultural group or event where they will have special jerseys worn in warmups to show their appreciation. Leaguewide events like Pride night will have special LGBTQIA+ designs on the jersey and players can opt to have rainbow stick tape to show support in addition to the jersey worn during warmups. However, each team has their own nights for special events.

Exceptions

An Oilers jersey with Bear in Cree Bear in Cree jersey.jpg
An Oilers jersey with Bear in Cree

The design is often adapted for specific cases, such as former NHL Vancouver Canucks teammates Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Their last names are accompanied by their first initials, since being twin brothers they share the same last name on the same roster. Similarly, Aku and Aatu Räty wear jerseys with two letters from their first names when playing for the same team to distinguish them. [4] During an exhibition match between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, defenseman Ethan Bear, who is of Cree descent, wore a jersey with his last name on it written in Cree syllabics. [5]

The National Hockey League no longer permits 0 nor 00 for jersey numbers, as they cannot be entered into the NHL's database, [6] and the available numbers only go up to 98 since the League retired the number 99 in honor of Wayne Gretzky. [7]

Cultural impact

Fashion and Media

The cultural impact of the hockey sweater in Canada is encapsulated by the short story The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier. In it, a young hockey fan asks his mother to order a Montreal Canadiens sweater from an Eatons department store catalogue, but instead accidentally receives a sweater for the team's arch-rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs, much to his embarrassment and the derision from his friends. The story was later made into a short animated film of the same name, which was produced by the National Film Board of Canada; a quote from it appears on the 2003 Canadian five-dollar bill. [8]

In Ferris Bueller's Day Off the character Cameron played by Alan Ruck wears a Detroit Red Wings Gordie Howe jersey. Ruck said this was to give the character more depth and independence that wasn’t shown directly in the movie. [9]

Fan versions of Hockey jerseys for sale Hockey Jerseys in a store.jpg
Fan versions of Hockey jerseys for sale

Hockey jerseys started to become more popular as a fashion choice with the general public starting with the expansion of teams like the San Jose Sharks and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to southern California. As well as Wayne Gretzky being traded to the Los Angeles Kings around the same time. [10]

Jerseys started to be made with fashion in mind first at this time, with the NHL’s first alternate jersey program starting in 1995. [11] For example, the first alternate of the Edmonton Oilers introduced was meant to be worn by fans of the team and fans of fashion alike, and to speak to skater culture. While pulling from team history for inspiration, it featured completely new elements such as bold new logos and the introduction of silver to the team. [12]

Starting in the early 2010's tossing a jersey onto the ice has become an extreme way of vocalizing displeasure with a team. This is seen mostly in Canada. It is done to show the fan is "giving up." The practice is mostly frowned upon, being seen as attention seeking. [13] Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and their arena have banned and fined fans for throwing jerseys onto the ice. [14]

Hip-Hop and Music culture

In the mid 1990's hockey jerseys became popular in Hip-Hop culture. The first major appearance is from Snoop Dogg in his Gin and Juice music video. In it he is seen wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey with "Gin and Juice" and the number 94 on the back. In other scenes in the music video he is wearing Springfield Indians jersey. In an interview with the Athletic, when asked why he chose to wear them, Snoop Dogg responded "I always thought that the hockey jerseys were fashionable and a good fit. No one in rap was really reppin them." [15]

Hockey Jerseys also appeared in multiple other music videos during this time from artists such as Nas in "The World is Yours", A Tribe Called Quest in "Oh My God", LL Cool J in "Hey Lover", and Smif-N-Wessun in "BuckTown" and "Let's get it on." Tupac Shakur was seen wearing a Detroit Red Wings jersey in an infamous photo and video of him spitting at reporters while appearing to court. [16]

In the late 2010’s there was a revival of the trend, [17] with artists such as Drake and Post Malone wearing jerseys of local teams when performing tours. [18] [19] Artist SZA being from St. Louis has featured St. Louis Blues jerseys in many of her works, such as the cover of her grammy winning album S.O.S. [20] and in a music video appearance for her feature on “Sweet Baby Daddy” [21]

The NHL has tried to capitalize on the revival of the trend, [22] seen most with artist Justin Bieber and his Drew House brand collaborating with Adidas in 2022 to create the Toronto Maple Leafs “Flipside jersey.” The outside being a black Toronto jersey with blue accents and the Toronto skyline in silhouette on the sleeve. The jersey also has a feature when reversed inside-out being black with gold accents, and features a combination of the yellow Drew House smile logo, and the Leafs front crest. [23] This collaboration would resume in 2024 when the NHL revealed Drew House inspired jerseys for the 2024 NHL All-Star game. [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Maple Leafs</span> National Hockey League team in Ontario, Canada

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The club is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a company that owns several professional sports teams in the city. The Maple Leafs' broadcasting rights are split between BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications. For the first 14 seasons, the team played its home games at the Mutual Street Arena, before moving to Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931. The Maple Leafs moved to their present home, Scotiabank Arena, in February 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third jersey</span> Jersey worn as an alternative to a home uniform or an away uniform during games

A third jersey, alternative jersey, third kit, third sweater or alternative uniform is a jersey or uniform that a sports team can wear instead of its home outfit or its away outfit during games, often when the colors of two competing teams' other uniforms are too similar to contrast easily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain (ice hockey)</span> Member of an ice hockey team recognized for their leadership

In ice hockey, the captain is the player designated by a team as the only person authorized to speak with the game officials regarding rule interpretations when the captain is on the ice. At most levels of play each team must designate one captain and a number of alternate captains who speak to the officials when the captain is on the bench. Captains wear a "C" on their sweaters, while alternate captains wear an "A".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendel Clark</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1966)

Wendel L. Clark is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. His professional career lasted from 1985 until 2000, during which time he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was chosen first overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by the Maple Leafs, the team he played with on three occasions, captaining the team from 1991 to 1994. Clark is a fan favourite in Toronto, continuing to represent the Maple Leafs at public events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiger Williams</span> Ice hockey player

David James "Tiger" Williams is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from the 1974–75 NHL season to the 1987–88 NHL season. He notably played in the 1981 NHL All-Star Game and the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals. He is the NHL's career leader in penalty minutes.

The 2001–02 NHL season was the 85th regular season of the National Hockey League. Thirty teams competed in an 82-game regular season. The regular season began on October 3, and the playoffs concluded on June 13, with the Detroit Red Wings defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals in five games, winning their tenth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Throwback uniform</span> Sports uniform which mimics an older uniform of the team

Throwback uniforms, throwback jerseys, retro kits or heritage guernseys are sports uniforms styled to resemble the uniforms that a team wore in the past. One-time or limited-time retro uniforms are sometimes produced to be worn by teams in games, on special occasions such as anniversaries of significant events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Marlies</span> American Hockey League team in Toronto, Ontario

The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a company that owns several professional sports teams in the city, including their NHL affiliate, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Marlies have played their home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum since 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991–92 NHL season</span> National Hockey League season

The 1991–92 NHL season was the 75th regular season of the National Hockey League. The league expanded to 22 teams with the addition of the expansion San Jose Sharks. For the first time, the Stanley Cup Finals extended into June, with the Pittsburgh Penguins repeating as Stanley Cup champions, winning the best of seven series four games to none against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 1999–2000 NHL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Hockey League. With the addition of the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, 28 teams each played 82 games. This was the first season played in which teams were awarded a point for an overtime loss. The New Jersey Devils defeated the defending champion Dallas Stars for their second Stanley Cup championship. During the regular season, no player reached the 100-point plateau, the first time in a non-lockout season since the 1967–68 season. Also, in the 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs, the New Jersey Devils overcame a three-games-to-one deficit against the Philadelphia Flyers to win the Eastern Conference Finals.

The 1998–99 NHL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Hockey League. The league expanded to 27 teams with the addition of the Nashville Predators. The Dallas Stars finished first in regular season play, and won the Stanley Cup championship over the Buffalo Sabres on a controversial triple-overtime goal by Brett Hull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NHL uniform</span> Ice hockey uniform worn in NHL

Players in the National Hockey League wear equipment which allows their team affiliation to be easily identified, unifying the image of the team. An NHL uniform consists of a hockey jersey, hockey pants, socks, gloves, and a helmet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NHL Winter Classic</span> Ice hockey game

The NHL Winter Classic is an annual outdoor ice hockey game played during the National Hockey League's (NHL) regular season on or around New Year's Day. It is generally held in a football or baseball stadium in the United States in an area with a resident NHL team, though for most of the game's existence, they are usually played in a baseball stadium to avoid scheduling and logistical conflicts with football stadiums during the National Football League regular season. The Winter Classic is distinct from the league's two other series of outdoor games, the NHL Heritage Classic and the NHL Stadium Series. The first Winter Classic was held in 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. Fifteen Winter Classics have been held as of January 2024. The most recent game was played during the 2023–24 NHL season at T-Mobile Park, with the Seattle Kraken defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3−0.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadiens–Maple Leafs rivalry</span> Rivalry in the National Hockey League

The Canadiens–Maple Leafs rivalry is an ice hockey rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, two professional ice hockey clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canadiens and Maple Leafs are the league's oldest teams, with the former established in 1909 and the latter in 1917. Both clubs compete in the Atlantic Division of the NHL's Eastern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnipeg Jets</span> National Hockey League team in Manitoba, Canada

The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The team is owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, playing its home games at Canada Life Centre.

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Leafs By Snoop is a cannabis brand owned and promoted by the rapper Snoop Dogg and produced by Canopy Growth Corporation.

The National Hockey League (NHL)'s Toronto Maple Leafs has been the point of subject for a number of media in Canadian popular culture, including artworks, books, novels, and songs.

References

  1. ↑ Wyshynski, Greg (2021-08-17). "Source: NHL team jersey fronts can have ads starting in 2022-23 season". ESPN. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  2. ↑ "Wiener Dog Night". Sioux Falls Stampede. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  3. ↑ "NHL Cultural Celebrations/Community Theme Nights blog | NHL.com". www.nhl.com. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  4. ↑ "Suomen nuoret puolustavat maailmanmestaruutta, Ruotsi jahtaa revanssia" (in Finnish). December 26, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ Monkman, Lenard (May 28, 2021). "Teacher calls on fans to wear Indigenous athletes' jerseys on Friday". CBC. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  6. ↑ Pinchevsky, Tal (November 30, 2016). "Why goalies are increasingly ditching traditional No. 1". ESPN . Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game". CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. February 6, 2000. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Roch Carrier and The Hockey Sweater" . Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  9. ↑ McDermott, John (2016-06-11). "Why Cameron Frye Wore a Gordie Howe Jersey in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'". MEL Magazine. Medium. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  10. ↑ Berglund, Bruce (2020-12-18). "How Hockey Jerseys Became Standard Wear for Fans". University of California Press. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  11. ↑ "ARTICLE The 95-96 NHL Third Jersey Program: A Retrospective". Jersey Nerds. 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  12. ↑ Swane, Brian (2021-10-01). "Oilers' McFarlane Jersey Remains Divisive 20 Years Later". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  13. ↑ Gretz, Adam (2021-12-15). "The jersey toss has become Canada's ultimate sign of hockey frustration". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  14. ↑ Wilson, Codi (2015-01-20). "Fans ticketed for throwing Leafs jerseys on ice banned from MLSE properties". CP24 . Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  15. ↑ Gentille, Sean (Dec 14, 2021). "Snoop Dogg on the Penguins, the return of the 'Gin and Juice' jerseys … and 'Sid tha Kid'". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  16. ↑ "The troubling context around Tupac's infamous Red Wings jersey photo". BLAC Media. BLAC. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  17. ↑ Gallagher, Jacob (2020-12-15). "How Nostalgia (and Snoop Dogg) Sparked a Retro Hockey-Jersey Craze". Wall Street Journal . Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  18. ↑ Aziz, Adam (2023-01-31). "Hockey jerseys have returned to hip-hop". Andscape. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  19. ↑ "Post Malone wears Tie Domi jersey on stage in Toronto". NHL. 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  20. ↑ Kulesa, Anna (2022-11-30). "SZA rocks Blues jersey on new album cover". NHL. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  21. ↑ "SZA rocks Blues jersey in new music video". NHL. 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  22. ↑ "Retro wave: NHL embraces hockey jerseys". Sports Business Journal. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  23. ↑ "Maple Leafs, Justin Bieber collaborate on unique 'Next Gen' uniform". SportsNet. 2022-03-22. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  24. ↑ "Justin Bieber Brings 'Joy of Drew House onto the Ice' in Adidas Collab for 2024 NHL All-Star Jerseys". People. 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
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