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