Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the United States. The sport was officially introduced to the country in the 1860s and has since grown in popularity each year. In fact, according to the National Hockey League, over 8.3 million people worldwide play the game and it is the most popular sport in Canada and the United Kingdom.
The size of a hockey jersey has changed a lot since the early days of the game. It used to be a lot more form-fitting and a lot less room was allowed for the name and number. However, today’s jerseys are a lot less baggy and more form fitting than the ones from the past. Also, the cut of the jersies has changed a lot as well. Back in the day, the fabric was quite thick and it was common for the sweaters to have a label or emblem sewn on the chest.
In this article, we’ll discuss the history of the NHL jersey and how it all began.
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Early Days Of The Game
The earliest form of hockey that was ever played in North America was on an ice surface in Montreal, Canada, back in 1790. It was a street game that was played with a stick and ball, and the format and rules were basically the same as in modern hockey. However, the game didn’t become organized until a few years later when Arthur Jeffery, an English immigrant, introduced the sport to London as part of a cultural exchange program. The sport continued to grow in popularity in England and after World War II more and more people started playing hockey, which led to the formation of the British Ice Hockey Association in 1948.
During the 1800s and early 1900s, hockey developed mostly as a winter sport and it was played on outdoor rinks in Canada and the United States. It was quite a rough sport back then and players had to bear the pain and discomfort of a frozen surface on their hands. The game wasn’t suited for the summertime and it was played under the cover of night so it wouldn’t melt.
Changes In Technology
As the sport grew in popularity a new trend evolved – people started designing their own hockey jerseys with the help of a tailor. Before long, every player had a personal tailor who made him or her custom-fit jerseys for the game. Those jerseys were named after the players’ names since there was no numbering system back then.
The development of synthetic materials in the early 20th century led to the invention of synthetic fabrics, which greatly expanded the options available to players when choosing their jersey colors and patterns. Before long, a wide range of synthetic fabrics were available to hockey players and this allowed them to select the right fit for the occasion. Also, advances in technology during this time lead to the improvement of printing techniques, which made it easier for players to customize their jerseys with their own names and numbers on them.
Size Matters
As the sport grew in popularity, so did the demand for smaller and smaller jerseys. It used to be that the bigger the better when it came to showing off your muscles but now players have to consider the numbers printed on their jerseys and how they want them to look.
The number of teams and leagues increased, which led to more games and more frequent changes in uniforms. It seemed like every year there was a new trend when it came to designing and making hockey jerseys and it wasn’t uncommon for players to switch teams or leagues because of the differences in uniforms. For example, the Montreal Canadiens started using a new pattern for their jersey in 1924 and the Boston Bruins followed suit soon after. When that happened, players were obligated by contract to change their jerseys or play sans-jersey (without one). Luckily, most players stuck to their contracts and wore the jerseys they were provided with, even if they didn’t feel comfortable in them. In most cases, the players also donated their old jerseys to charity.
How Colors And Patterns Have Evolved
The colors and patterns used on hockey jerseys have come a long way since the early days of the game. Back then, players would wear solid colors or use different striping techniques to create a visual narrative on the ice. Nowadays, color theory and graphic design are used to create unique patterns and colors for each team. Players start with a solid color as their base and they use different dye mixes and application techniques to create an array of on-ice hues.
There are four primary colors used in hockey (red, white, blue, and yellow) but every NHL team has a few other non-standard colors as well. The New York Rangers are known for their burgundy and white, the Pittsburgh Penguins are all about their red, and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ jerseys are always a hot topic, especially since they use a lot of yellow. The Los Angeles Kings are a great example of a team that uses multiple colors and patterns on their jerseys, as you will see in the photos below.
Also, as the sport grew in popularity, so did the demand for customized jerseys. Today, players can have their names and numbers iron-on transferred to their jerseys or they can have permanent printing done, using an inkjet printer. Sometimes, players will have jerseys made with their name and number taken from a school crest or logo. In most cases, however, players want their name and number to be the only thing on their jersey, as seen below.
NHL Uniform From The Past
It would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t mention the most iconic jersey in NHL history. We’re talking about the 1967-68 Boston Bruins jersey, which is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful jerseys in the history of sports. It’s not surprising that fans and sports writers have often turned to this particular jersey when discussing the glorious days of the Boston Bruins.
This jersey marked a turning point in the evolution of the NHL jersey. Up until this point, the majority of jerseys had been solid colored but with the introduction of printed numbers, letters, and designs, teams started seeing the benefits of using color and pattern instead of just one solid hue. Also, since these were the colors worn by the Boston Celtics (this was back in the day, before the NBA and NHL leagues merged), the Boston Bruins were able to associate themselves with a prestigious sporting franchise while also showing off their team colors.
Other popular jerseys that were worn in the 1960s and early 1970s include the Montreal Canadiens’ Triple Crown jerseys from 1968-1969, which were worn during the team’s unprecedented three-peat, and the Atlanta Flames’ uniforms from the ‘70s. These two jersey patterns were so popular that they were copied and worn by many other teams, which is why you’ll often see many different variations of the Triple Crown and Flames jerseys being worn by players today.
As you can see, the design and shape of the sweater changed a lot over the years, especially during the 20th century. However, despite all the progress that has been made, hockey still retains a relatively formal and strict set of rules when it comes to designing and making the jerseys.
Also, since the 1960s, most NHL teams have stuck to a basic template when designing their jerseys. In most cases, the base layer is a simple solid color, which is usually worn on top of a white T-shirt. Some teams use a thicker, more substantial fabric as their base layer and this is what gives their jerseys some weight and form. Also, most jersey designs are created using the same basic shapes and designs, which makes it easy for fans to know what team they are rooting for, even if the jerseys are not designed by the same person or company.