Hockey is one of the most popular sports amongst both men and women, with more people playing and watching the game than ever before. It’s a great way to both stay fit and socialize with friends and family, but there is one style of hockey that many people don’t wear or play – cagey. Also known as figure-hugging, tight-fitting hockey jerseys, these are less than ideal for keeping the chill out on ice and more likely to cause trouble than anything else.
Why do women’s hockey teams wear cages? It all started with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1950s, who were the first to implement this style of jersey and it hasn’t stopped since. Although the style has become popular amongst women’s teams around the world, it is still commonly associated with the Habs and their iconic star-spangled sweater. Let’s take a look at the history of women’s hockey and the role of the Montreal Canadiens in popularizing this style of jersey.
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The Early Years: Hockey Is For Every Body
Hockey was first introduced to Canada by an English-Canadian coach named Michael Larkin. In the 19th century, women’s hockey was referred to as ‘ladies’ hockey’ due to the fact that the game was mainly played by and for ladies. It was first organized in Canada in the 1880s by the Women’s Canadian Hockey Association (WCHC) and initially consisted of teams from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The game was considered “progressive” at the time as it encouraged women to take up sports and play alongside men.
While the traditional stereotype is that men hate sports and consider them “girl’s games,” the opposite is generally true. In fact, studies show that men are more likely to be influenced by sex in sport, with women more likely to be inspired by the game itself. This phenomenon is known as ‘sex in sport.’
The Montreal Canadiens are considered by some to be the most successful hockey team of all time. They have won eight Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals, as well as being the first to implement the cagey jersey look. (Hockey Hall of Fame)
This style of jersey was designed by a renowned American fashion designer named Louis Sherry and is referred to as the ‘sherry’ jersey due to Sherry’s company also producing the fabric for the Montreal Canadiens. Sherry’s unique spin on the classic hockey jersey was meant to highlight the female form with the silhouette of a lady in a fashionable and flattering way. So as not to distract from the main purpose of the jersey, which is protecting the players’ privacy while still displaying their names and numbers, Sherry had the letters C, M, and H monogrammed on the front in a diamond pattern, in the shape of a hockey stick. The rest of the shirt is black with gold trim along the collar and cuffs.
A Matter Of Fashion: Why Did It Take So Long For The Design To Catch On?
Although the design was a great success and became quite popular, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the full-cage hockey jersey became commonplace. During this time, the game evolved from a sport for the upper classes to one that became accessible to all. In addition, women began to take up the game in larger numbers than ever before, which influenced the aesthetic of the day – including the design of sports gear.
One of Sherry’s contemporaries, a designer named Emily Carr, is credited with creating the first jersey designed for both men and women in the early 20th century. She often collaborated with renowned American designer Walter Raleigh, creating feminine yet sporty gear for both men and women. Raleigh was also responsible for creating the first modern hockey mask in 1922 and the accompanying outfit, which he called the ‘ice dress.
While many believe that the cagey jersey was the direct result of sexual politics and the ‘boys will be boys’ mentality,’ the rise of women’s football and basketball also played a part. Since these sports don’t require as much clothing protection as hockey does, women didn’t need an excuse to wear more revealing outfits. The game also became more popular amongst the female population, as well as families, which contributed to the rise of ‘super-jeans’ in the 20th century.
The Montreal Canadiens continued to be the masters of the sport, however, as they were the first to popularize the cagey jersey. Interestingly enough, they have never officially worn the design – at least not on the ice. While many of their players have donned the design for pictures and interviews over the years, it has never been approved by the team’s management, due to a combination of reasons. One of the reasons being that the design is too revealing. Another being that it doesn’t match the colors of their uniform (red, white, and blue). Finally, there is also some speculation that the jersey might make the players too recognizable, should they wear it during a game. Therefore, the design has never been used during an official capacity.
Is It Just A Phase?: Why Do Some Women Still Wear The Cages?
Despite all the negatives that come with the design, there are still some women who wear the ‘cagey’ jersey, out of fashion or for nostalgia purposes. One of the reasons why this design has not disappeared completely from sports uniforms is because some people believe that it can still be used in an unofficial capacity. For example, many college and university teams have adopted the design as a way of protest, in the same way that the Boston Red Sox did during the ‘sex in sport’ scandal of 2004. This led to some umpires and referees being pressured into wearing something more comfortable.
While the majority of players are on board with the idea of taking fashion cues from sports, others feel that it trivializes the game and is something that should be avoided. Many professional hockey players have mixed feelings about this design, with most feeling that it should be used more sparingly, if at all.
Whether the design of the Louis Sherry is officially approved or not, it has still managed to leave its mark on both men’s and women’s hockey and helped to shape the way that sports gear is designed today. Interested in the story behind the design? Continue reading below.