According to NHL T-shirt, Alexander Ovechkin wins Hart Trophy

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Japers' Rink with the find of the day so far: The Reebok Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin 2008 Hart Trophy T-shirt from Shop.NHL.com (link ~~soon to be~~ dead, we're sure). Item No. 3097412, retails for $19.99, and celebrates an award he hasn't won yet ... at least publicly. The description:

The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey," is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the National Hockey League. Pay tribute to Alexander Ovechkin with this short-sleeve Reebok® Hart Trophy t-shirt. It features a dynamic image of Ovechkin, his name, number, replica signature, team logo, and "2007-08 Hart Trophy WINNER" graphic

To be honest, the League shouldn't catch a ton of heat for this unfortunate leak because there was really no chance in hell Ovechkin wasn't winning the Hart. That said: Better luck next year, Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

What is it about the Washington Capitals and mind-boggling leaks of what should be well-guarded fashion secrets? And does the NHL Shop have a T-shirt of next season's Stanley Cup champions? If so, we're going to Vegas tonight ...

Huge H/T to Japers, once again.

UPDATE (5:10 p.m. EDT) -- We asked for, and have received, an official statement from the NHL about the release of the Alexander Ovechkin Hart Trophy T-shirt on Shop NHL:

In an effort to offer our fans the merchandise they want in a timely manner following an event such as the NHL Awards, our licensees prepare product for all possible outcomes. In this situation, the link for one of the possible products became live early through an error by our e-commerce provider. We regret the error and have since taken steps to amend.

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24 Comments

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1 - 24 of 24

1. Posted by ihatemcmahon Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT
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This is more like having Sidney Crosby there for the photo-op when the Penguins won the draft lottery after the lockout. Everyone knows what's coming, so there's really no point in pretending it will be a surprise.
2. Posted by Brodie30 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT
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People should buy it with overnight shipping for the 1000-1 chance that he doesn't win... instant collector's item.
3. Posted by Geoffrey S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm EDT
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I'm disappointed they don't have Selke and Lady Byng T-shirts for sale... at least giving away the winners of those would tell us something we don't already know.
4. Posted by Leahy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:27 pm EDT
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what, no Masteron Trophy shirt? jipped!
5. Posted by beer_man_beer_here Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT
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I predict a riot...
6. Posted by james r Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT
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what most people dont know is that shirts are made for all possible winners. I do these things and our company had art for the penguins if they won. I have shirts that i did from 92-93 with the penguins winning it all including a dynasty shirt. I have even run across shirts in discount stores of teams that were upset in championship games when the shirts were preprinted before the games were over. its happens in all sports.
7. Posted by Jay B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT
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no way they make shirts for all nominees for a freaking awards trophy. sure, they make shirts for possible winners or championship games in advance, they have to because the decision isn't known until the game ends. voting for the hart happened at the end of the regular season, it is and has been known to the person privy at the league office who the winner is. they'd be throwing money out the window if they made hart trophy shirts for iginla or malkin.
8. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT
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@ James r:
What you clearly don't know is there were no Iginla MVP or Malkin MVP shirts on the nhlshop. Also, the NHL doesn't exactly have money to throw around on back-up t-shirts.
9. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT
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@ james r --
Yes, you are correct, but I don't think they'd print up shirts for the different award winners when the NHL can obviously know beforehand who wins. It's not unpredictable, like a SC or a conference final. (Link's dead from what I've been told. Oh well.)
James: If you have any images of those unused T-shirts, e-mail me. I'm serious.
10. Posted by JohnB Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT
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How come the NHL doesn't know how to do anything right? Put the shirts out AFTER the player's name is announced.
11. Posted by sttr73 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT
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I'm not you're friend guy!
i'm not your guy buddy!
i'm not your buddy friend!
12. Posted by Dutch Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:07 pm EDT
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Big Deal! Hell the Patriots had a book published about their perfect 19-0 season prior to the Super Bowl...Yikes!
13. Posted by oakwood13 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT
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Shirts, Hats are printed for any eventuallity. The losers stuff is either sold or donated to 3rd world contries as a tax write off. I work in the printing industry and it is cheaper to print for any outcome and be able to sell immediately rather than wait and be the last one to the market.
14. Posted by p Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT
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I was at game 5 in Detroit. They had championship shirts on the stands when I was walking out.
15. Posted by Wings Cup 08 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT
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I bought my "Red Wings 2008 Champs" 6 months ago because they were the only team that was unbeatable in the league. I mean, was it even fair? Will it be fair next year with Detroit not losing any of its core? If someone would print a 2009 Red Wings Champs shirt I would buy it yesterday.
16. Posted by James M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT
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I still have my "Dewey Wins" t-shirt.
17. Posted by steelers6 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:54 pm EDT
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nhl you people still havent figuered out yet have you? just watch the stanley cup finals , keep an open mind, as you watch the nhl try and give the penguins the stanley cup make sure you watch game 5 , the tiple over time game , watch the reffs arm go up in the air for a penalty in the first ot period before zetterberg got to the crease how can you call a penalty for goaile interferrence when the player wasnt eve near the crease yet?
18. Posted by George Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:15 pm EDT
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Well, I'm not buying the NHL official statement, because it's not like they are going to sell a "Jack Adams" coach of the year t-shirt with whoever wins it... Babcock? I have a feeling that only the Hart... maybe the Vezina or Norris, will actually get made. Who is gonna buy a Masterson or Lady Byng shirt? Maybe a few people... but will the NHL actually make money on those few who buy vs. making them and having them available to purchase?
Anyway, it was just a mistake. Heck, I have a screenshot of the NFL shop when they released all the Carolina Panthers - Super Bowl Champions from a few years back, just before NE drove like 90 yards and kicked the winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Hillarious! It happens. They have to be ready for it. Sometimes it's premature, but putting together the proofs and images online is nothing more than what those businesses do almost everyday. (sometimes it's just a touch-up with Photoshop.)
19. Posted by iceman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT
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please, this has been done for years and in all walks of sport and life. Is thisall you have to talk about,besides these awards are for the regular season. let`s talk about how the nhl is tring to sell crosby as the savior of hockey. The kid has great talent, but if you know anything about or played hockey it takes a TEAM to make it. at all levels , hands down. let`s talk about detroits overall play. I`ve not seen a team move the puck and total puck support in a number of years. thanks let`s stick to hockey.
20. Posted by Michael C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT
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I understand all about the t-shirt business and printing multiple possible winners, but it doesn't seem to apply here. The idea is that in the hours after a major championship is won, thousands, if not millions, can be made by selling gear to the euphoric winning fan base.
I'm not sure how many guys are going to dive onto the internet in a drunken frenzy to buy their Hart Trophy t's.
21. Posted by duntrune1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT
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Have you seen BASEketball? Where the losing team has their "Official Championship Losers" t-shirts and hats on in the locker room?
Frickin' hilarious.
22. Posted by John W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT
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Maybe the NHL should move its head office back to Canada where it belongs, as well as getting a head guy that knows something about hockey. ie-everyone knows that the only thing keeping the NHL afloat is the teams north of the 49th parrallel.
23. Posted by ArrogantBastard Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT
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They definitely need a Sidney Crosby t-shirt of the same layout that says "captain of second place team"
24. Posted by raj Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT
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Thank you very much for the great information.
Thanks 511 shirts