As the sport of ice hockey continues to grow in popularity around the world, it only makes sense that the officials’ uniforms would follow suit.
While today’s NHL uniforms have become highly stylized, the referees’ uniforms have not changed all that much since the 1970s. The biggest difference between the two is that NHL players’ uniforms now feature a large patch on the front with the players’ jersey numbers in the traditional red, white, and blue.
This is in line with today’s trend of number placement on jerseys. In fact, numbers have even made their way to junior hockey, where they replaced the original stripes on the sweater for the more youthful audience.
Despite all of this, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, in the early days, hockey referees did not wear numbers on their sweater.
Here’s a look at why do hockey referees have numbers and how they got their start in the sport.
Table of Contents
The Early Years: Striking The Match With Two Straps
It all started in the late 1800s with a simple request for hockey rules. Specifically, the referee’s outfit consisted of a light blue shirt, matching tie, and matching trousers. While it may seem easy enough, at the time the rulebook was not written as extensively as it is today, which made it that much more difficult for referees to know precisely what was and wasn’t allowed. As a result, they usually ended up ruling more on instinct than any other factor.
Another significant development that helped improve the quality of officiating came in the form of increased helmet design. In 1894, the Indianapolis Hockey Club asked for new rules regarding the construction of hockey helmets after one of their players suffered a particularly nasty head injury. The rules that ensued increased the minimum height of the helmet and gave the head greater protection. It wasn’t long before this change made its way up to the NHL, where it remains today.
The Golden Age: Preferring Purple
It would be another 15 years before the next significant innovation occurred. In 1919, the NHL adopted a new set of rules regarding player safety and protection, which included increased padding and more restrictions on head shots. It should come as no surprise that the majority of the rule changes during this period had to do with protecting the head, as this is where the most damage would occur. One of the other significant changes was the adoption of a pitchfork design for the puck, which was the predecessor to the modern day triangle. Puck design became more streamlined during this time period as well, including the use of color and the adoption of a toe guard to protect the foot from getting injured by the puck while it was in the air.
The Second Wave: Following Suit
With the increasing popularity of indoor sports arenas in the summer months, it was only natural that ice hockey would follow suit. As a result, the official’s attire changed yet again in the early 1930s, including the adoption of shorts for men and a shorter skirt for women. In the summer of 1935, the International Olympic Committee banned uniforms with short skirts in order to promote more gender equality during the Olympics.
The biggest change during this period was the number of players allowed per team. From six in 1914 to 15 in 1932, the number of players on each team increased as the sport became more popular. This trend toward more players has continued up until the present day. While the number of players per team has increased over the years, the number of referees has stayed relatively the same.
Modern Day: The Most Significant Changes
It’s been over 80 years since the last significant change to the official’s uniform, and it’s finally time for an update. Over the years, numerous changes have been made to the hockey uniform. Some of these changes have been for the better, including the increased use of technology and innovation, while others have not. Let’s take a quick look at what has happened over the past eight decades and what is planned for the future.
Short Skirts Are Back: Reversing Fashion History
In the early 1930s, short skirts and knee socks were all the rage. This must have been quite the opposite of what the referees wanted to wear, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of the two was arguably the height of feminity at the time, and it didn’t take long for the referees to realize they didn’t belong in these clothes. The women’s short skirt regulation was first implemented in 1974 as a safety measure to increase the visibility of the refs during this time. While it wasn’t initially meant to be a permanent change, it gradually began to replace the longer skirts that were earlier in style. This is significant because it shows how the fashion industry can change quite rapidly, even today.
Gloves Aren’t Necessary: Helmet Safety And Isolation
One of the most significant changes to the game over the past century has been the increased safety equipment and protective gear worn by the players. It wasn’t always this way, as it wasn’t until the early 20th century that protective gear as we know it today started to become commonplace. Helmets, gloves, and padded jackets were all at first worn individually before they were combined into one unit. Today, this equipment is essential and is required by all players, even at the junior level.
The Disappearance Of Knee Socks: A Refreshing Change
Speaking of fashion history, it’s been over 50 years since the last significant change to the referee’s uniform. Back when hockey was first formed, it was played mostly in the winter months and was thus a lot cooler than it is today. As a result, it was common for the players to wear knee socks to keep their legs warm and to protect the leather of their skates from getting ruined.
The other significant change is the increased use of padding and protective equipment on the chest and head, which is again, a direct result of the sport’s increased popularity. In the past, most of the damage came from being hit with the puck, but today, it’s more common for the blows to come from contact with other players or the boards while the puck is in the air. This is why the use of padding and protective gear has increased significantly over the years, and it continues to be popular as the number of hits per game has increased over the years. While head protection now requires a full helmet, knee protection requires only a half helmet as it was found to be more effective than full protection. If you’re interested in a retrofitting project, you can find a half helmet that will work for you. Just make sure you keep the warranty as it will be difficult to find replacement parts if there’s a problem.
These changes to the uniform are a result of innovation and technology becoming more prominent in daily life. As mentioned by Tim, technology has improved the quality of officiating by allowing the use of replay, while also improving the safety of the players by allowing for the use of protective gear. This in turn, has led to a more polished and professional sport, which fans can enjoy to the fullest.