| An interesting way to trace the history of | | | | |
| the NHL is to explore the many different NHL | | | | In 1950, we see the Black Hawks move from a |
| jerseys that have evolved over the years. | | | | barber pole appearance in their black NHL |
| Today, official NHL merchandise holds its own | | | | jerseys to a red jersey with an Indian head |
| in the sports apparel market, offering | | | | on front. This is the start of the official |
| numerous colorful selections to choose from. | | | | NHL merchandise we see associated with the |
| A growing trend in the official NHL | | | | Black Hawks of today. It was in 1955 that the |
| merchandise market includes the purchase of | | | | Bruins became the first team to introduce the |
| vintage NHL jerseys. This allows you to | | | | color gold in their NHL jerseys. The tweaking |
| further admire the changes that this intense | | | | of home and away NHL jerseys is also |
| sport has undergone. | | | | continued. |
| | | | |
| Amateur hockey teams flourished before 1904 | | | | During the 1967-68 season, the league |
| until the first professional NHL league was | | | | expanded from six teams to twelve. Newer |
| born. Although quite popular throughout the | | | | teams embraced a wide assortment of colors, |
| rest of the world, especially Canada, it was | | | | including orange, sky blue, green and purple |
| the United States that first brought the | | | | in their NHL jerseys. This was a radical |
| sport to the professional level. Tucked away | | | | change for official NHL merchandise during |
| in the mining region of the Upper Peninsula | | | | the 60s. The 70s brought along the Buffalo |
| in Michigan, the start of the International | | | | Sabres with their blue, white and gold |
| Pro Hockey League blossomed. Three years | | | | colors, as well as the Vancouver Canucks, |
| later, it was no more. In its place, the | | | | which used a color scheme for their NHL |
| National Hockey Association (NHA) was | | | | jerseys similar to Seattle Seahawk jerseys. |
| established. | | | | |
| | | | As the 80s came into history, official NHL |
| In 1910, there were four professional hockey | | | | merchandise began to showcase manufacturer |
| teams on the rise: the Montreal Canadians, | | | | logos on their apparel. Companies, such as |
| Ottawa Senators, Montreal Wanderers and | | | | Nike and SandKnit cashed in. This gave the |
| Toronto Arenas, which is now known as the | | | | basis for providing official NHL merchandise |
| Maple Leafs. The main characteristics of | | | | per company associations. This is also a |
| their NHL jerseys were long sleeves and | | | | common practice today, which often causes |
| stripes. The Toronto Arenas were the only | | | | higher prices of NHL jerseys based upon their |
| team to sport a solid blue jersey with white | | | | affiliations. |
| trim. | | | | |
| | | | During the 90s, the interest in hockey spread |
| The league slowly made its way to the United | | | | further and newer teams began to pop up in |
| States in 1924. The first team in the states | | | | other parts of the country. Teams in Dallas, |
| was the Boston Bruins. The NHL jerseys | | | | Phoenix and even Miami made their mark. A |
| associated with this team was a solid brown | | | | business deal to broadcast hockey on |
| color with gold trim. At this time, the | | | | television is solidified. Now, NHL jerseys |
| Hamilton Tigers showcased an NHL jersey with | | | | were able to grace your television screen. A |
| numerous thin lines of black and gold on | | | | third NHL jersey was created, which was set |
| their sleeves. | | | | aside for Saturday games or special |
| | | | occasions. Different shapes and NHL jersey |
| As the 1930s rolled around, ultra-skinny | | | | designs emerged. Specialty patches are |
| lines of alternating color were seen in | | | | created. Nameplates are used. |
| teams, such as the Chicago Black Hawks and | | | | |
| the Detroit Falcons. Stars highlighted the | | | | In the 2000s, we see more and more expressive |
| NHL jerseys of the New York Americans red, | | | | and colorful logos plastered on official NHL |
| white and blue color scheme. | | | | merchandise. The players of today should |
| | | | respect the evolution of NHL jerseys that |
| During the 1940s, the New York/ Brooklyn | | | | never had the radical designs of the Dallas |
| Americans folded and the NHL was reduced to | | | | Stars, the logo of the Florida Panthers or |
| only six teams. It is now that we see the | | | | the assortment of colors presented in the Los |
| emergence of more and more colored pants, as | | | | Angeles Kings or the Might Ducks of Anaheim |
| well as a variety of home and away NHL | | | | NHL jerseys. |
| jerseys. | | | | |