HockeyJerseyConcepts.com has another fun series going on right now where readers are showing off their jersey collections. I participated in the favourite jerseys series back in the summer, and given that I have a bit of a jersey collection, I decided to do a write-up for this one as well.

The collection shown below doesn’t include a handful of team jerseys I’ve worn in-game and novelty jerseys that have snuck into my closet (such as a Guess Who jersey and the 2000 Canadian Summer Olympic podium jersey). Check out HockeyJerseyConcepts.com for more reader collections.

Montreal Canadiens 1980’s

A friend gave this jersey to me a few years ago. Based on the tags, I believe it to be from the mid-80’s.

Montreal Canadiens Vintage 2003

This jersey is way too big for me, but these ones were getting harder and harder to find, so when I found one in Calgary I bought it. I loved how they looked in the Heritage Classic; I was glad when they decided to keep it in the rotation.

Pittsburgh Penguins Alternate 2001

This was a special time in hockey for me as a fan of Lemieux and as a jersey collector. The #66 had just come out of retirement and the Penguins had just introduced a snappy third jersey. I pre-ordered one as soon as I could. That’s why you’ll notice that this jersey doesn’t have a captain’s letter on it: early in his comeback, Lemieux wasn’t a captain (Sports Illustrated has proof). I’ve considered bringing it in to have a C added.

Calgary Flames Alternate 1999

One of the less beloved jerseys in recent memory. It’s not my favourite, but I don’t hate it, either. When Koho/CCM took over all NHL jersey manufacturing, SportChek cleared out their ProPlayer brand jerseys for $30. That’s when I added this one to the collection.

Calgary Flames 2004

Probably the most frequently worn jersey in my collection, this one has been autographed on the crest by goaltender Roman Turek. How frequently worn? I had to pull it out of the washing machine to take this photo. This jersey was acquired from the team shortly after Roman Turek returned to Europe.

[UPDATE] Calgary Flames 2010

Since originally writing this article, I picked up a Rbk Edge-era Flames home jersey. Am I the only one who like the lines of this jersey? It feels like it sometimes.

Lethbridge Hurricanes Alternate 2005

Not the prettiest jersey ever, but this is a landmark jersey that is unique if nothing else. The Lethbridge post office clock tower adorns the sleeves, and a Chinook arch like the sculpture in front of city hall passes through the torso. The clincher, of course, is the silhouette of the High Level Bridge along the hem.

Lethbridge Hurricanes Vintage 2007

When I tried out with the Hurricanes back in the day, they were wearing those horrendous Tasmanian devil uniforms. Those of us in camp, though, were wearing an old set of team jerseys in the classic Washington Capitals style. Somewhere my dad has photos of me on the ice at training camp wearing one of those red, white, and blue jerseys clashing terribly with my black and gold Bruins socks (I played for the Carstairs Bruins). When the Hurricanes brought this one back as a throw-back, there was no question that I needed to get one.

Lethbridge Hurricanes 2010

This is the only other autographed jersey I have, and it’s been autographed by the entire Lethbridge Hurricanes (post trade deadline) in the 2009-2010 season. This was the first year of the Reebok Edge jersey style for the WHL. I won this particular jersey for coming in second place during a “chuck-a-puck” contest at a game last year.

Team Canada 1972

I believe this jersey was part of a Team of the Century celebration in 2000. I found it on a pretty good discount and had Henderson’s #19 added to it. I gave consideration to Esposito’s #7, but really how could I go with any number other than 19?

Team Canada Olympic 1998

One of my earliest jersey purchases while I was in junior high. This is the only jersey I’ve had my name put on, aside from those of teams I’ve actually played for. There is an additional crest on the from left of this one, covering up a mark from where a captain’s C was removed. I don’t particularly like having my name on this jersey, so it doesn’t get worn often. It doesn’t have gold medal memories either, mind you.

Team Canada Olympic 2002

My parents gave me this one as a Christmas gift in 2001. My mom told me that if she’d realized how many jerseys I already had, they would’ve gotten me something else. I’m glad they didn’t; this is still one of my favourites. Crested with the name and number of my favourite player, Mario Lemieux.

German National Team 2002

If you follow my family tree back a few generations, you’ll end up in Germany. For that reason I’ve adopted Germany as my second team. I couldn’t find one of these in Canada anywhere, so I ordered one from a shop in Düsseldorf. Much like that Canadiens vintage jersey, these became relatively easy to find shortly after I bought mine. I’ve also got a few German national soccer jerseys to go along with it.

University of Alberta Golden Bears 2002

I spent a year at the University of Alberta in 2002/03 and bought this jersey while I was there. The Bears are one of the powerhouses of CIS hockey, so I usually don this one once a year when watching the University Cup finals. Other than that I support my alma mater, the University of Lethbridge (hey, we won a University Cup back in 1994 when Mike Babcock was our coach). I haven’t been able to get my hands on a Pronghorn jersey yet, though. The U of L merchandising isn’t what it is at U of A.

London (UK) Knights 2000

I bought this jersey on a trip to England and Scotland in 2000. Some friends and I were browsing soccer jerseys in a sporting goods shop, and I came across a small rack of London Knights jerseys. The novelty of finding a hockey jersey in England was too much for a Canadian boy to pass up. Of course, nobody has ever heard of those London Knights, and they folded a few years after I bought the jersey.

What I’d like to add

No collection is ever complete. Period. Here are a few that I’d like to add.

• Swiss National Olympic Team 2010. I just love the simplicity of this jersey. I’d want this one customized with the name and number of Lethbridge Hurricane alumnus Luca Sbisa.
• Tampa Bay Lightning Alternate. I hate the “Bolts” wordmark, but love the shade of blue. A Victoria Royals jersey may also suffice here.
• Lethbridge Hurricanes Alternate. I know that all they’ve done is lift the Capitals’ style again, but on the ice it’s a mighty good looking uniform.
• Pittsburgh Penguins Vintage 1985. All Lemieux.
• Pittsburgh Penguins Vintage 1992. All the time. Stanley Cup and “Badger” Bob crests should definitely be included here!
• University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. I even helped to design their women’s team jerseys one year, but still don’t have a Pronghorn sweater in my collection yet.
• Montreal Canadiens (red). Iconic.

Update

• The Lethbridge Hurricanes wore some gorgeous Lethbridge Maple Leafs throw-backs in honour of the 60th anniversary of their World Championship victory. I was active in the jersey auctions, but ultimately they ended up a little out of my price range. I would’ve loved one of those in my collection.