About the Jersey Galleries

Since the day I converted Icethetics from a simple blog to a full-on website, I've had the idea for the Jersey Galleries section. I wanted a page that could serve as an unique historical record of hockey uniforms.

You may be thinking, that's great, but how is it different from what other websites do? Two of my favorite sites are Andrew Greenstein's Hockey Uniform Database and Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net. Both are phenomenal resources and feature a wealth of graphic renderings of hockey sweaters, past and present.

It had been done so there was no reason for me to join the fray. Until I realized something was missing from those sites. The presentation was sterile and flat — not how we're accustomed to seeing hockey sweaters. They're supposed to whip in the wind as a skater flies down the ice. At the very least, they're meant to be worn, not framed and hung up on a wall or flattened.

Those sites are great for seeing the detail in the wide variety of hockey jerseys, but I wanted an overall look at the uniform in the environment for which it was designed. The only way I could think to do it was in the form of game photos. So I started collecting pictures to put the uniforms on display in the way we see them in our minds — on players, in action. I use mostly head-to-toe shots and to reduce the distraction of the background, desaturate everything in the frame not attached to the player. It allows the uniform colors to pop off the page.

I experimented with third jersey galleries last year, but it's time to take the idea to the next level. The photos will still be presented the same way, but now each team will have its own page featuring every uniform they've worn in their history. Of course that's a major undertaking and will only happen over time. For now, I'm starting with current uniforms.

I hope you all find this feature as useful and enjoyable as I do. Suggestions are always welcome!

Comments

[NIck]

Online trading cards. I love it.

[Don Biggs]

Would love to see a couple versions of the Quebec Nordiques Jersey. Like a Black Ice version of the old style and setup and maybe a few of a new version but still the Nords. What do you think?