hockey-sweaters7The hockey jersey has not always been what it is today. As the player’s equipment (gloves, pads, helmet, what have you) fluctuated over the years so too did the jersey. The style of the jerseys and the names on the back may change every year but the function has always remained: provide the player the most comfortable experience on the ice and provide the fans the best visual experience in the seats. 

In the beginning the hockey jersey was actually called a hockey sweater. The name developed because it was made out of a similar thick sweater-like wool cloth and was generally plainly decorated. The player’s numbers and last names have always sat squarely on the back of the sweaters and the team logos, icons, and player rank (Captain denoted with a C or Assistant denoted with an A) on the front. As the sport grew out from four teams and into the lives of people across the nation, the equipment evolved. The padding would sometimes thicken to provide extra protection and sometimes it would thin out for weight. The engineers behind hockey equipment have been constantly thriving to provide players with the lightest, coolest, and most protective gear and this is a trend we see in hockey jerseys as well.

Today, hockey jerseys are light and porous. Reebok developed the latest style to fit tightly against the player’s body, reducing wind resistance, and stop short just above the hip. The jerseys are made from a polyester that is both light weight and breezy. There is a trend now in the NHL for teams to have special games where they wear “retro” jerseys. These jerseys are designed after an earlier incarnation of the team. For example, this season (2009) the Montreal Canadiens wore the team’s 1914 striped style to a few of their home games.

The necklines of the jerseys are one of the more significant hockey fashion trends. In the early days of the sport the sweaters were laced at the neckline to give the player the option of tying the jersey tight to his chest or leave room for it to hang loose against his pads. The style went out of fashion for many seasons but has recently, along with the retro jerseys, made a come back.

Sports equipment is constantly evolving to meet the needs of each generation of players and fans. New technology has allowed the team designs to become more elaborate and each team has about four jerseys to choose from: Home, Away, Alternate, and Retro. Each team changes around the colors and images displayed on the jersey and over time the style will continue to improve.

What’s your favorite hockey jersey style? Do you prefer the old ways or the new?