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1. HOCKEY JERSEYS HAVE
ENDURED MANY
CHANGES OVER THE
YEARS

2.  The National Hockey League
(NHL) was formed in November
1917. When the league
resembled more of a club sport
in the beginning, players would
wear actual sweaters that their
teams bought in bulk from retail
stores. The teams would buy a
bunch of the same sweater and
just put a player’s number on the
back of it and the team’s logo on
the front. Hockey jerseys like we

3. Second Jerseys are Introduced to the
Mix
 The Toronto Maple Leafs were the first team to create a second jersey in the season beginning
1927. The Maple Leafs’ jerseys were dark blue for home games and white for away games. All of
the teams except the New York Rangers had second jerseys by the year 1940.
 For the season beginning 1951, the NHL ruled that all of their hockey teams would wear the white
jerseys for home games and would wear colored NHL jerseys for away games. To be in
compliance with the new ruling, the New York Rangers finally created a second jersey.
 In 1955, however, the NHL changed the ruling so teams would wear their colored jerseys at home
games and their white jerseys at games away from home.
 In 1970, the NHL rule switched to teams wearing white or yellow jerseys at home games and
colored jerseys at away games.
 In 2003, the current ruling by the NHL was created. Teams now wear dark colored NHL jerseys to
their home games, and they wear white NHL jerseys to their games that are away.
 Six teams joined the NHL in the season that began 1967. More teams were added in the years
that followed. With so many new teams playing, lots of colors and styles have been added to the
earliest jerseys. The teams have always hoped that the new styles that get introduced would
create excitement and increased revenue by way of NHL jersey sales.

4. Player Names are Added to
Jerseys Amidst Some Protest
 The National Hockey League required all of their players
to wear their last names on the backs of their jerseys
during the season beginning 1977.
 The Toronto Maple Leafs objected to this ruling and
made their objections known by making the letters of the
names the same color as the jersey itself.
 The names were there on the jerseys as per the
National Hockey League ruling, but the names blended
into the fabric. The Maple Leafs were fined for their
disobedience.
 The team got their jerseys changed so that the names
would be in white in order to be in compliance with the
ruling of the NHL.
 The Detroit Red Wings were the first team to arch the
names over the player numbers. It is common among
teams now.

5. NHL Jerseys are Adorned with
Commemorative Patches
 The NHL teams have worn three league patches
on their jerseys over the years.
 In 1991, all of the teams wore a patch celebrating
the 75th anniversary of the National Hockey
League.
 In 1992, the teams wore one celebrating 100
years since the introduction of the Stanley Cup.
 The third patch was worn in the season that
ended in 2000. It was a celebratory "NHL 2000"
patch.

6. The Third Jersey
 Although there had been third jerseys
prior to the 1995 season, the NHL
began their official program regarding
the use of third jerseys that year. The
hope was that these jerseys would
mean more money for the teams.
 During the 2008 season, third jerseys
were reintroduced after a year off. All
but two of the designs for the third
jerseys were new that year. The
Canadians went all out and used five
jerseys to honor their 100 year
history.

7. A Single Manufacturer Is
Selected
 Beginning with the 2005 season, the NHL selected a single
manufacturer to be the official company for their jerseys.
 They were to produce a comfortable wicking fabric that kept the
players comfortable.
 The newly developed uniforms were first worn during the 2007 All-
Star Game. The next season all of the teams were wearing the new
uniform system. Some of the jerseys were redesigned as part of the
switch.
 After a bit of use and players complaints about the new hockey
jerseys not wicking away moisture but letting it slide into their
gloves, the manufacturer sent out improved jerseys to the teams.

8.  The manufacturer was allowed to put
their logo on the back neck of the
jersey. They changed the logo they
used later. The item still remains in the
same area of the jersey.
 In order to make money, NHL teams
sell jerseys to fans. Each time a new
jersey is introduced, the team can add
that item to their memorabilia fans
purchase.
 eriodically, new versions of team
jerseys are produced for this purpose.
Vintage jerseys were created in
2003, as well as for the Winter Classic.
 Sometimes the teams are allowed to
wear the jerseys for select games or
even as a replacement uniform for an
entire season.

9.  Jersey sales are big business for NHL teams. Fans buy jerseys of their
favorite players to show their support. Which jerseys are the most popular
changes from year to year. Players get traded between teams. Some
players retire from the game or go on injured lists. Fans are always looking
for the next greatest jersey to wear in support of their beloved team.
 Over the years, many contests have been created to choose the best and
worst hockey jerseys of all time. In recent years, the Minnesota Wild seem
to have the most popular jersey. The worst jersey goes to the Montreal
Canadiens with their multiple thin stripes that seemed to put fans in a
trance when looking at them. Also, who can forget the Vancouver Canucks
"V" jersey that was created by a marketing firm and received much hate
from fans and competitors alike. The V was supposed to stand for victory
but was an eyesore to everyone who viewed it.
 Despite the changes over the years, NHL jerseys are a great introduction
for both the players and the fans.