Polyester - A Love Story

I love hockey jerseys. I love wearing them, looking at them, and collecting them. It’s hard to explain why; I’m sure people think I’m crazy—my family included. But they make me happy.

As a kid, I was all about football jerseys. Back then, it was my favorite sport, but I always dreamed of owning an Islanders jersey. Unfortunately, my parents weren't about to shell out that kind of money for a piece of clothing. Hockey jerseys have always been pricier than other sports jerseys. Eventually, when I was in college, I got my hands on an Alexei Yashin jersey when he joined the Islanders. It was just a replica, but I loved that jersey.

A few years ago, after I started playing hockey, I felt the urge to buy a hockey jersey. However, the sticker shock of $180 for a replica jersey—without even a player’s name—was tough to swallow. That’s when I discovered the world of Chinese knockoff jerseys. For a fraction of the price, I could get what looked like a convincing replica customized with my chosen player. I thought, “The real stuff is probably made in China anyway, so why not save some money?”

Over the next couple of months, I bought a few knockoffs, and initially, I was pretty happy with them. They were convincing fakes, and they satisfied my jersey itch. I felt more connected to the sport I was falling in love with, and I didn’t feel guilty about spending the money because they were cheaper.

However, over time, something didn’t feel right. The knockoffs weren’t holding up well, and I began to discover hockey jersey enthusiast groups on Reddit and Facebook. It became clear that enthusiasts despised fakes, and I felt a growing desire for the real thing to participate in these communities.

So, I decided to buy my first authentic jersey. At the time, the NHL's jersey contract was with Adidas. Unlike previous manufacturers like Reebok and CCM, Adidas didn’t offer the same jerseys that players wore on the ice, even though they labeled their retail line as “authentic.” These retail authentics are made in Indonesia, but they’re still of far superior quality compared to knockoffs. The jerseys players wear are made in the same factory outside Quebec, Canada, for nearly 50 years, regardless of the apparel provider. For now, I’d have to settle for one of these authentic 'Indos.'

Through my involvement in jersey communities, I learned about places to get these jerseys at a discount. I managed to snag a blank Islanders Adidas jersey for a modest price and immediately shipped it to the team's official customizer for player name and number application. I chose Ilia Sorokin, the Islanders' star goaltender.

I was thrilled to finally own a jersey I could be proud of. Shortly after, I discovered a hockey jersey community on Discord. This platform was a game changer; it was filled with knowledgeable people who showcased the diverse world of hockey jersey collecting. From replicas to game-worn, modern to vintage, and NHL to minors, these collectors had a wide range of items. What struck me was how diverse and accepting the community is. Since Discord is a newer platform, the community skews younger, making it more honest and supportive than some older Facebook groups I've encountered.

Since joining, I've learned a ton about hockey jersey history and collecting. I've acquired pieces I never thought I’d own. While it’s not a cheap hobby—especially since its popularity surged during the pandemic—authentic and game-worn jerseys tend to hold their value.

My collection is still a bit scattered, which is common for newcomers to collecting. To keep things manageable, I’ve categorized my collection into three main areas:

• Islanders jerseys (of course)

• NHL teams other than the Islanders, focusing on the early '90s. I collect these for two reasons: nostalgia—these were the jerseys I remembered as a kid and featured in NHL video games—and because many early '90s teams still wore Ultrafil jerseys, my favorite material. It’s the smooth, thick, heavy fabric widely used in the '80s and early '90s.

• Minor league jerseys from the AHL, ECHL, and Canadian Juniors.

I’ve even created an Instagram account to catalog my collection. Check it out: Don't Give a Puck Jerseys.