Information on NHL "authentic" jerseys

by RedWingFanInNC on Feb 1, 2012 7:29 PM CST

[Editor's note: Added to the front page for interest. If you've got a similar story, please share it in the comments]

I wanted to pass along some information regarding "authentic" jerseys on NHL shop.

(Gets on soapbox)

I recently received an authentic Pavel Datsyuk road jersey as a Christmas gift from my wife. I was very happy with the quality when I got it, but had to send it back because they shipped it to me with a snag in it. Upon getting my replacement, I could immediately tell it was of inferior quality – it was thinner, lighter, rougher feeling, not identical to the picture on the NHL shop’s website, missing the RBK logo on the back, missing tags on the inside of the jersey, and, most importantly, made in Indonesia. Now I don’t really care where it’s made, but I know for damn sure the original one I received was made in Canada.

A simple mistake at the NHL shop’s shipping facility? No. Instead Reebok and the NHL have recently decided that an authentic jersey is no longer an exact replica of what the players wear on the ice. Instead, they have decided a jersey cheaper to produce should be sold at a slightly lower retail price ($249 vs $299 before customization, which is an additional $80) but still called authentic. Furthermore, instead of informing customers of the switch, they have used ambiguous language to disguise the move. This is an excerpt from the description on NHL shop "This Reebok® EDGE hockey jersey replicates the player worn Pro-cut jersey in fabric, trim and team design". Notice, that it no longer says it is the exact same jersey as worn on the ice.

I am not the first to notice this. There is a facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntiIndoEdge) page regarding this issue, indicating this is not just for Red Wing jerseys.

Why am I trying to get the word out? My concern is two-fold: Quite simply, this jersey is a piece of garbage compared to the old one and is not worth ANYTHING near $250. I want to make sure that everyone who goes to pay for one of these realizes the poor quality of the item they are getting. Second, I want to ensure that enough people know about this so the NHL decides that a real authentic jersey is what the fans expect when purchasing one of these.

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Thanks for the heads up, dude

Hope the jersey thing works out for you

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by DetroitSports on Feb 1, 2012 8:43 PM CST reply actions

$300?

Couldn’t make a jersey worth that, maybe if Pavel signed it in person. With that, Reebok should be sued or their executives castrated for trying something like that.

by good1 on Feb 1, 2012 8:44 PM CST reply actions

Interesting

Just checked the one I got for christmas. It’s got all the Reebok stuff on it, but the tag says “Made in Indonesia”. Curiouser and curiouser.

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by J_Stone on Feb 1, 2012 8:53 PM CST reply actions

Take a look at the inside. If the neck tag says made in Canada, then you’ve got a good one. If there is a yellowish green band that says made in Indonesia, then you’ve got the lesser version.

by RedWingFanInNC on Feb 2, 2012 4:30 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

If yours truly is made in Indo, you may want to call and complain. The website says made in they are made in Canada, so you can claim thy sent you the wrong thing. If nothing else, you can let them know you are mad about it. Just don’t be surprised if the person you talk tocabout itvhas NO CLUE.

by RedWingFanInNC on Feb 2, 2012 4:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

"Authentic" Jersey

I just bought one myself, ordered it on the 27th of December and it arrived the 18th of January. A “Reebok EDGE Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom Authentic Home Jersey” for about 330 bucks.

I don’t know if I got lucky or one of the last “authentic” ones in stock, but mine says made in Canada and has all the propper labels and everything. The fabric feels like it is good quality, but the stiching is a little shoddy. It took me quite a while with scissors and a lighter to get all the frayed ends and loose thread taken care of. It even has the little stay-strap to attach to your belt to keep the back of the jersey from coming up.

You didnt specifically mention contacting the NHL shop, did you do that? Im curious as to whether they had any additional information or compensation for you. Seems shady that you would get a product of lesser value with your exchange.

by Ghoststriker on Feb 1, 2012 9:11 PM CST reply actions

The people at NHL shop, including the supervisor are dumbfounded. I told them that it felt lighter, rougher, etc. They are going to call me back. I have since discovered the whole Canada/Indonesia thing. So either they have no clue or they are not being transparent with it.

by RedWingFanInNC on Feb 2, 2012 4:33 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

It even has the little stay-strap to attach to your belt to keep the back of the jersey from coming up.

Just an FYI. That is the fight strap to keep your jersey from being pulled off in a fight.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 2, 2012 6:57 AM CST up reply actions

Is fight strap the “technical name”? Cause my jersey in highschool had it too only we didnt have a specific name for it. Maybe that is because we werent allowed to fight though.

by Ghoststriker on Feb 2, 2012 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

Yep, that’s the technical name.

They weren’t added to jerseys until the late 80’s/early 90’s. Which is why, in a lot of the old school fight videos, players ended up half undressed. There was a rule change in that time frame requiring players to have their jersey secured to prevent this from happening. The easiest way to do that was to modify the jersey to add a strap to the back that could be secured to the hockey pants.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 3, 2012 6:42 AM CST up reply actions

'Das some bullshit if i ever seen it.

i’m sorry they dicked you like that and i’m annoyed they’re doing this.
i’ve been hoping to buy an authentic jersey for a long while now and taking that away just isn’t particularly appealing.
thanks for the heads up.

"I'll smile in June."

by Lords of Olympia on Feb 1, 2012 9:32 PM CST reply actions

If you can see one in person that is made in Canada, then go for it. Just be wary of buying one on-line.

by RedWingFanInNC on Feb 2, 2012 4:34 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

"Authentic"

My sister had a friend who gave her an “Authentic” Reebok Edge Lidstrom jersey two years ago. Unfortunately, I knew right away it was a fake because not only were the letters the wrong font but the C was on the left side and not the right. I wear it at home, but never out and about.

And a total sidebar on this: does anyone have a good recommendation on a place to get a jersey around the Joe? I’m heading up for the Ducks game next Friday and was looking to add to my legitimate jersey collection. (Kronwall? Franzen? Datsyuk? Ericsson? So many choices). It’s been a while since I’ve been there…

by Cptnshnr4 on Feb 1, 2012 11:34 PM CST reply actions

I bought one INSIDE the joe because it's tax free so it's actually cheaper.

But, there’s also Hockeytown Authentics in Troy if you are willing to do a bit of driving. Lots of cool stuff there.

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by Josh Howard on Feb 2, 2012 5:33 AM CST up reply actions

189 I believe

but I didn’t buy one of the replica game jerseys. I knew I was just getting one that LOOKS like a game jersey. It’s not Canadian made, but I don’t think it has to be. The real atrocity is that this guy bought a Canadian made, authentic jersey and that they sent him back a fake. Sure hope this gets resolved. I’d buy stuff in the Joe if you’re going there anyways. It’s really nice to NOT have to pay tax on something 200 bucks downtown.

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by Josh Howard on Feb 2, 2012 7:28 AM CST up reply actions

You’re still paying tax, it’s just rolled into the price.

The Joe is not a duty free store.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 2, 2012 8:37 AM CST up reply actions

Really?

I was told that area downtown was a tax free zone. That’s why it was 20 bucks more expensive when I bought one out in Troy from the same people.

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by Josh Howard on Feb 2, 2012 10:08 AM CST up reply actions

Now that you mention that, I wonder if the Joe falls inside the “Renaissance” zone. Though, I thought that only applied to property tax, not sales tax.

Usually a place like the Joe will include tax in the price already so that it’s easier for people waiting in line to add up how much things will cost. Could be wrong though.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 2, 2012 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

Detroit Athletic

http://www.detroitathletic.com

I bought a Datsyuk jersey from them last year. On the same trip, my brother-in-law bought a Franzen jersey inside the Joe, he paid slightly more than I did.

by Forlorn in VA on Feb 2, 2012 6:44 AM CST up reply actions

that's awful

They already have replicas as a less expensive option for fans. If they want authentic, they should get authentic.

Interesting comment on the loose ends and poor stitching. I’m not a jersey person myself (had a couple, but never wore them so I put them on ebay) but I can understand the annoyance with spending good money for substandard items.

Random nonsense at @Baroque97

"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)

by Baroque on Feb 2, 2012 12:08 AM CST reply actions

The word Authentic is a dubious word and is full of scam-potential

One of my friends bought an “Authentic” Salvador Dali piece for about 140 times more than it was worth -

Afterall it was an Authentic Original (copy) that was misrepresented :D

Stupid how people’s jobs are all about how to take advantage of consumers

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by Igorzba on Feb 2, 2012 1:33 AM CST reply actions

“This Reebok® EDGE hockey jersey replicates the player worn Pro-cut jersey in fabric, trim and team design”

.You know when they use the word “Replica” to describe what is supposed to be an authentic jersey, they are trying to feed a line of bullshit.

Hopefully this gets fixed soon, and enough people lean on the NHL to make them fix it.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 2, 2012 6:59 AM CST reply actions

I bought Mine Three Years ago at Christmas Time...

…just checked it, made in Indonesia. Fuck.

by Patrick Gerald Marsh on Feb 2, 2012 8:10 AM CST reply actions

Damn

I was getting completely authentic jerseys from a website just last month for about $40 each but I was going to post it here so you guys could use it and it has been taken down :( For whatever its worth it was www.wholesalejerseyschina.us but like I said its gone now. I bought my Dad and brother Wings Jerseys for Christmas and my Dad was so upset because he thought I had spent so much money on them I finally had to tell them they were $40

by pzar11 on Feb 2, 2012 8:29 AM CST reply actions

I would be willing to bet good money

that “completely authentic” jerseys from China for $40 apiece are not actually completely authentic.

I’m guessing that’s probably a good indication of why that website has been taken down as well. It’s shitty that NHL.com passes off these replicas as authentic, to the point where I really want something done about it, but bootlegged authentics are actually illegal.

by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 2, 2012 8:36 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

I would argue

That posting links to sites like that falls into the same category as posting links to online game feeds.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 2, 2012 8:40 AM CST up reply actions

I would agree

If that site were an active site, I would have deleted the comment.

As it stands, I want this conversation tree to stand as the discussion point. There was a link to a similar site placed below which has since been removed.

As a rule of thumb, if you can’t guarantee that the site selling “authentic” sportswear is operating within US Laws, I’m going to have to eliminate the link. I don’t have room for personal feelings on whether or not this is something which SHOULD be allowed; pirated jerseys are the same as pirated game streams and we’re going to do what we have to do to make sure that WIIM isn’t the site that gets SB Nation in trouble.

by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 2, 2012 9:14 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

I would also like to point out

that this comment is the fourth in a row where the subject line starts with “I would”

by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 2, 2012 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

I would also agree with this conclusion.

If that site were an active site, I would have deleted the comment.

I would additionally argue that we may need a wouldchuk to clean up this mess.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Feb 2, 2012 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

FWIW

A year or two ago when I was on the NHL.com shop looking at the authentic customized jerseys, they used to have a disclaimer that said the jerseys were made in China and that it would take time to customize and ship the items. I thought it was funny because everyone knocks the counterfeit ones because they were from China, yet low and behold so were the ‘real’ ones. I’d never pay more than $100 for a jersey unless it had a signature on it.

by rrasco on Feb 2, 2012 8:54 AM CST reply actions

Bummer

Hate to see the NHL doing this given how expensive jerseys are already. I guess I’ll be going to Hockeytown Authentics now if I need a new jersey.

by NuclearMusic on Feb 2, 2012 12:01 PM CST reply actions

The Indonesian ones are what the Panthers are selling in their arena this year. I think they switched over to Indo for this year’s “authentics.” For most teams (unlike the Panthers, who changed both home and road sweaters this season), the only way to tell the difference between last year’s sweater and this year’s sweater is the Reebok mark on the back. If it’s the logo version with the little parallelogram and swoosh crossing the double swoosh, it’s last year’s. If is say “Reebok,” it’s this year’s. The NHL.com store hasn’t changed all of their photos yet.

I suspect that if one looked into it, they would find that all the ones with the “Reebok” mark are made in Indonesia, though I have not been to any other arenas yet this season to check the other teams’ gear.

Something else to keep in mind re: the “authentic” sweaters is that although the Reebok EDGE sweater with the EDGE fabric was only used in the 2007-2008 season, they were still selling them at retail. The players hated it, so the teams all switched back to the old air knit fabric, but with the same design/cut as the EDGE sweaters. I have several Panthers “authentics” and game-worn/issued stuff and the only game-issued or worn item I have that exactly matches the ones I bought retail is the one from the 2007-2008 season. I don’t know how long they were selling the EDGE fabric jerseys for all the teams, but I’ve never seen a Panthers one at retail that didn’t have it until this season. That may be the difference you’re seeing in the fabric. The new ones are definitely lighter.

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by John Beatty on Feb 2, 2012 12:33 PM CST reply actions

This is super shitty.

Someone should alert Uni Watch.

by sanford_and_son on Feb 2, 2012 12:41 PM CST reply actions

I bought a Filppula Jersey during the 2007-2008 Season. The fabric around his name on the back looks as if it was cut by, by me to be honest, it was that crappy. Luckily my mom fixed it but it looked as if they just slapped some parts together and sent it to me.

I'm not better at finding things than anyone else who has Google.

by Kyllönen on Feb 2, 2012 1:41 PM CST reply actions

Thanks for the warning

I was looking into getting a replica jersey at some point this year. Thanks for the advice

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by MuleRules on Feb 2, 2012 1:57 PM CST reply actions

also, are the jerseys the 'size' they're indicated?

a 2X being like a regular 2X T-Shirt, or something bigger?

by MuleRules on Feb 2, 2012 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

Different

My wife had to get a small just so that it was even remotely close to fitting properly. Just really gotta try one on and go from there.

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by Josh Howard on Feb 2, 2012 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

if you go to icejerseys.com

They have a sizing guide, with a diagram with measurements so you can find the proper size even if you don’t order from them. That might help avoid returns and frustration if you at least know where to start with the size most likely to fit.

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"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)

by Baroque on Feb 3, 2012 6:08 AM CST up reply actions

They run a bit bigger, but what size you want really depends on how close you want the fit. Most of my replicas are XL (which is my usual T-shirt size), but I like them a bit big. I also have at least one L and it fits fine.

Just don’t get a customized replica from nhl.com. They use cheap numbers and lettering. If you can’t get one from the team, go to one of the reputable websites (like the one in the comment above).

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by John Beatty on Feb 4, 2012 7:37 AM CST up reply actions

If you want a great jersey...

Go to Sportsk.com It’s a company based in Allen Park, and they ship (currently residing in Dallas). They buy the blank Replica jerseys and sew on their own Letters and numbers with great accuracy. They also have a stockpile of old Stanley Cup patches. I got an Yzerman Jersey with a ’97 Stanley Cup patch for under 200 bucks and it looks great!

by Joe Bagazinski on Feb 6, 2012 11:18 AM CST reply actions

Just to clear up confusion anybody might have about link-posting

This retailer does seem legit. A quote directly from their site:

All merchandise we sell is officially licensed by MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, and NCAA. We purchase directly from Adidas, Reebok, Majestic, CCM, K1, New Era, Old Time Hockey, Zephyr Hats, and G-111.

Also, since the topic is about this subject, it’s not spam either.

This is not an official endorsement of that site, however. As with anything online, caveat emptor.

by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 6, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

I am not saying everyone should go buy from them

Just a good review of what I found to be an honest business.

But I get where the site is coming from.

by Joe Bagazinski on Feb 6, 2012 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

Understood

I just want people to know that the distinction that makes your original comment ok was that it added to a discussion we were already having (without spamming) and that I don’t have reason to suspect that the site you posted operates illegally, two things that in slightly different context have made similar comments not ok where yours was.

by J.J. from Kansas on Feb 6, 2012 3:06 PM CST up reply actions