How to Tell a Counterfeit Hockey Jersey

Hockey is a fast-growing sport played around the world, with the international flavor of the game opening it up to more consumer markets. As the game continues to expand, fans are quick to purchase mementos and apparel for their favorite teams. Whether worn as a fashion statement or to show team support, hockey jerseys are becoming a more prevalent as the sport continues to thrive. A relatively expensive purchase, hockey jerseys have become a source of fraud and counterfeiting. The threat of purchasing a fake jersey can be greatly reduced if you arm yourself with a little foreknowledge.

Instructions

    • 1
      Authentic jerseys are designed to take a beating

      Examine the material the jersey is made out of. At first glance a counterfeit jersey will seem identical to a real one, but the evidence of most forgeries lies in the minute details. Virtually all authentic and official replica jerseys are made out of polyester. The material is durable for both actual in-game use and heavy-duty wear by fans. Modern NHL jerseys also have a distinct seam pattern: instead of having one or two pieces of polyester sewn together, the new-style jerseys have multiple panels of cloth that make up the body and sleeves. The design is meant to promote airflow and improve movement, something not easily replicated on counterfeits. Jerseys, whether authentic or replicas, are produced to withstand heavy usage on the ice or in the stands. The seams are tightly and smoothly sewn together and the collar and sleeves are reinforced. Most counterfeit jerseys will not have this level of quality or durability.

    • 2

      Look for manufacturers' and league tags. Every jersey will have identifying tags, usually found in the back collar or at the bottom left of the jersey, with size and the name of the maker. The league logo also appears prominently on NHL jerseys at the bottom side of the front collar. Counterfeiters are not likely to have access to the exact marking specifications, and therefore the tags often have mistakes or incorrect imagery.

    • 3

      Check the numbers, logos and coloring. The most distinguishing features on any hockey jersey are the distinct insignias, uniform numbers and commemorative patches. On an authentic jersey, these items will be sewn directly onto the jersey, or in the case of player names, sewn onto a nameplate which is then attached. Each team has a different crest, number style and letter font. Carefully inspect the font, size and stitch pattern. A real jersey will have even stitching around the crest and numbers. A counterfeit jersey will often appear to have the correct imaging, but the crest color or number style will be slightly off, signaling the jersey is a fake. Study the jersey and stripe colors. While appearing at first glance to be correct, often counterfeiters will not be able to replicate the exact team colors, stripe colors and patterns. The lack of attention to detail and inferior quality on such an important elements are tell-tale signs that the jersey is a forgery.

    • 4

      Pay attention to price. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. While many deals can be found on the Internet, the jersey is most likely not authentic if the price seems too low. Hockey jerseys usually retail anywhere from around $80 to more then $350. Take notice of where the questionable jersey originates. Many counterfeits are sold out of China, a hotbed for forgeries. Authentic jerseys will most likely be sold in the country or region where the league is located.