You will find a lot of completely different hockey jersey styles whether you are a collector, a fan or a player. When ice hockey was still new, players used to put on sweaters to act as team colors and to identify them as team members. With the evolution of the game, sweaters were replaced with jerseys manufactured from nylon or polyester, very much like the apparel in the other team sports. Old-timers and traditionalists still continue to refer to jerseys as sweaters.
One way of distinguishing between the types of hockey jerseys is to classify them as genuine, reproduction or practice. They have completely different design and sizes, though they`re all available for team followers and recreational players alike. Authentic jerseys are the genuine thing, the actual jerseys which players wear during games. They must be officially licensed. At present, genuine ice hockey jerseys are solely licensed by the NHL to the giant sporting equipment maker Reebok Hockey.
These genuine jerseys are made out of 2 layers. The external layer is created to guard the player against bumps and scrapes while the internal layer is made from a breathable material that doesn`t accumulate moisture. The player is therefore both warm and dry. These jerseys may be custom-made to accommodate any player or number who`s presently a part of that team. Other features of authentic jerseys are elbows which are double stitched to give additional padding as well as a “fight strap”. This strap is attached to the tail of the jersey so when it is tightened, competing players can`t, during a struggle, tug the jersey above the head of the player.
Practice jerseys are a simpler version of authentic jerseys and are used by players in practice so they do not require the fancy trimmings. These jerseys are available in quite a lot of colors which aren`t really the team colors and players can choose their very own colors. They normally are available in both light and dark colors so that players can be separated into squads by the coach in practice. They are cheaper than genuine jerseys.
Replica jerseys fall somewhere between genuine and practice jerseys when it comes to price. Reproductions look similar to genuine jerseys but do not have the special features, such as the double layer or the fight strap. These jerseys are used by a lot of enthusiasts due to their affordability and are likewise utilized by recreational players, most especially children who wish to appear like their heroes.
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