The Jersey Problem

First of all let me get something straight, this post has nothing to do with the New Jersey Devils (though they certainly have had their share of problems lately). Instead, I wanted to take a look at some of the problems and things an NHL fan should consider when buying a new jersey.



Before I go too far, a confession: I do not now, nor have ever, owned an authentic NHL jersey. It's almost incomprehensible to me how a person who has been a rabid fan of hockey for more than two decades could be without one, yet here we are. So in conversation recently I was asked, "what kind of jersey would you like?". A harmless question at face value, however the problems of finding the right jersey quickly became deep and complex.

My first thought of course was that I should naturally get the best player on my favorite team. Sure, it's easy enough to get a Sidney Crosby jersey if you're a Pens fan, the guy is now and will be a franchise icon. But say your franchise's best player is going to be a free agent soon, and his future with the team is in doubt. Maybe even his reputation would be spoiled if he leaves the team, as is the case for thousands of New Jersey fans who now have useless Zach Parise jerseys (apparently this post is somewhat about the Devils after all). When buying a jersey, you want it to be something that will stand the test of time. 

Which means that buying the jersey of your team's next great young prospect is a terrible idea. Pity the people that thought it wise to pick up an Erik Johnson or Cody Hodgson jersey after they were drafted. 

There's even more criteria to consider, remember this is no easy task. Some go the route of honoring the more unsung heroes on their favorite team. Certainly there is no shame in rocking a Gregory Campbell jersey in Boston, or Alex Burrows in Vancouver. There are players that achieve an almost cult following in some markets, and those jerseys almost never go out of style. 

Which is exactly the reason why vintage jerseys have become so popular. You can blame the NHL for using them as a cash grab, but you can't deny they are completely awesome. Even today you are guaranteed to see Bobby Hull's number 16 in Philly or Mario Lemieux's number 66 in Pittsburgh. As a simple rule of thumb, if your player's jersey has been retired by your team, go ahead and buy it.


But whatever you do, please never ever buy a Canucks "Flying V".

Thanks for reading everybody! Make sure to follow me on twitter @CanuckPuckHead for more updates to my blog. Also check out the other sites I blog for: www.hockeyopinions.com and www.lastwordonsports.com