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Jersey Fouls is our ongoing exploration of the rules and etiquette for proper hockey jersey creation and exhibition. If you spot what you think may be a foul in your arena, e-mail a photo to us at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com for inclusion in future installments.

If he's correct, Puck Buddy Chris C. has found what would be an epic, epic FAIL from television coverage of the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup playoffs:

Now this is INEXCUSEABLE. In their little pre-commercial feature thing, Versus put the spotlight on both goaltenders. They show a picture of Chris Osgood(notes), WITH THE WRONG LETTERING ON HIS JERSEY. Seriously? You're the "national" home for hockey in this country, and you can't even get the goalie to wear his real jersey? Amazing. Everyone at Versus is at fault for this one.

The side-by-side would seem to indicate that Chris is onto something. OK, so it's no Lindstrom jersey. But it's still pretty embarrassing.

(UPDATE: Someone who knows a thing or two about a thing or two about Versus writes in: "They shoot those promos in the pre-season, when the Wings wear jerseys with cheap lettering." Eh ... not really an excuse, to tell you the truth.)

In staying with the Wings for a moment, please recall that much like Spock, Chris Chelios(notes) is of two worlds (and Montreal, but please don't ruin the trendy pop culture reference like that): He is both a Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings legend.

As the Detroit Free Press found out, Chelios's mother Susan has a handmade Frankenjersey celebrating her son's time with both clubs.

Both Erica B. and Jordan W. sent over this story, and we're torn: Frankenjerseys have failed in the past, but have also passed for special considerations. So can Chelios's mother or -- say, the mother of the Staal Bros. -- get away with Frankenjerseys out of consideration of their split loyalties?

Or is Mama Cheli's "love the Hawks, root for the Wings" schtick patently unacceptable in the rule of puckhead law?

Coming Up: Sidney Crosby(notes) goes old school, a questionable Winter Classic jersey, the Stanley Cup gets fouled, Martin Brodeur's(notes) babe and a Carolina Hurricanes jersey that pretty much epitomizes what most of Canada thinks of the Carolina Hurricanes.

And here ... we ... go.

From our old pal WizzNutzz intern Jarkko comes this Washington Capitals sweater that would appear to be a celebration of either Baskin Robbins or investigative journalism. Unless, of course, this guy is named Scoops and this is some strange cousin to the Steve Heinz '57' jersey.

Puck Buddies Matthew C. and Jessica E. both sent in this Sidney Crosby old school Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey Foul. Jessica explains:

My boyfriend and I have seen this jersey foul way too many times this season, and every time, we somehow fail to get a good picture of it. Although I hoped to never see it again, he just sent me this picture while he was at the mall. So enjoy this offensive mess.

Sadly, we couldn't get a photo of the genius fan we saw on Saturday night- wearing a #58 Steelers jersey with LETANG on the nameplate. Clearly, this kid's mother didn't raise him right, because I can't imagine anyone in western PA raising a child to believe that it's okay to replace any member of the Steel Curtain's name. Even if he's a defenseman. And especially if he's a HOCKEY player. No offense to Letang, but he's certainly not a hall of famer like (the ever beloved) Jack Lambert.

Damn, that Letang jersey would have been cool.

Anyhoo, this is Jersey Fouls 101 right here: The name goes on the jersey that the player has worn. None of this old school stuff, no matter how ironic you think it is. And yes, that goes for you too, dude in a Kopitar Gretzky-era Kings jersey. Wherever you are.

Jesse B. captured this jersey while watching the Boston Bruins on NESN. "Winzeecup." Sacrebleu! This is offensive in so many ways, not the least bit that it reminds us of Steve Martin's hack attempt at doing Clouseau in the "Pink Panther" remakes.

Now, here's an interesting conundrum regarding the sweater on the left. This a Chicago Blackhawks jersey from the Winter Classic (via Puck Buddy George C.), and as you can see it's adorned with "Wrigley 09" on the back. For nostalgia's sake, we're actually leaning towards "PASS."

But for a point of comparison, here's an example of the traditional Stanley Cup commemorative jerseys (the Anaheim Ducks, via Toby F.) that we always slag on.

Again, we lean towards "PASS" for the Classic one for the simple fact that the jersey was specially created for that event, while your "Cup 97" or some such is a regular 'ole sweater.

But can one be OK while the other is not? Our heads are spinning. Time to reset the scales.

Ah, there it is. FAIL, because no matter how clever the nameplate might be, the wearer had to actually spell out the joke within the numbers in an absurdly lame move.

(Why do they make question marks for jerseys anyway? In case ?uestlove from The Roots takes up hockey?)

Can you believe the image above was sent in by Sarah Spain from Mouthpiece Sports? Is there anything she can't do?

You know, if Reebok really wanted to test how water resistant the new sweaters are, they should have analyzed this one after the last three minutes of Game 7 against the Hurricanes. At least the sleeves, where most of the tears were likely wiped.

Finally ...

Puck Buddy Jason B. sent over this image and writes:

Spotted in "The Eye" (the Hurricanes store). Granted I think it was on a clearance rack and I've never seen anyone wearing one at a game, but a sleeveless jersey just shouldn't exist in the first place. It invites ridicule. I think its for men judging from the size.

Now, we've written about these awful "Enforcer" model jerseys before. But seeing them for the Hurricanes is just ... well ... just a little Larry the Cable Guy, aren't they? Like there should be two tattooed arms emerging from it, one holding a beer cozy with a can of Bud and the other holding a NASCAR flag?

Message to Hurricanes fans: Please don't purchase these jerseys, not matter how hot it gets in Carolina. And if you do, please do not allow a Canadian tourist to photograph you wearing one.

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109 Comments

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  1. What Would Don Draper Do?
    1. Posted by What Would Don Draper Do? Fri May 22, 2009 2:32 pm EDT

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    That's a nice picture of Chelios with his mom.
  2. ScottyWazz
    2. Posted by ScottyWazz Fri May 22, 2009 2:35 pm EDT

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    I may be wrong in this, but I think the Red Wings use that font for their nameplates in the pre-season only. Doesn't make up for the mishap, but there is a reasoning for it.
  3. gaborik10m
    3. Posted by gaborik10m Fri May 22, 2009 2:35 pm EDT

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    The Osgood one is not a fail...at all.
  4. Marc
    4. Posted by Marc Fri May 22, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    The reason why the Osgood one looks that way is because the network probably used a jersey from preseason. Every Red Wing player has their jersey with the lettering like that until the regular season begins.
  5. Toms
    5. Posted by Toms Fri May 22, 2009 2:39 pm EDT

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    The Ozzie jersey is their pre-season lettering. They probably took the video then.
  6. edicius
    6. Posted by edicius Fri May 22, 2009 2:40 pm EDT

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    ScottyWazz is correct, that's the Wings' preseason font. Why Versus uses THOSE shots, I have no idea. I remember seeing a Cleary shot like that at some point during Versus' coverage of the playoffs as well. Makes me think that they shoot these in the preseason, because there's no other excuse that I can think of.
  7. Pensfan
    7. Posted by Pensfan Fri May 22, 2009 2:40 pm EDT

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    Ahh, another healthy dose of FAIL!
    God I hate when people try to be unique. Get over yourselves...your fans of the hockey team, not yourself (but I could easily be wrong with that assumption). It kills me to see people who spend so much money on idiotic jerseys when there are people out there (like myself) who can barely afford to pay for a REAL (read: respectable) one.
    If you want to be unique and stand out from the crowd, then get a jersey of a player that nobody else has. How about an AHL player for your team who has been called up a few times whom you have a fond liking to (but these people are probably such fairwheather fans that they don't know what the AHL is..).
    Frankenjerseys are okay if it relatives...but I whis someone would have got a picture of Semin's sister. She showed up for all the games in Pittsburgh with a normal Semin jersey, but instead of wearing it, she tied it around her neck like she was at a freaking tennis club! Now that's a Fail!
  8. Art
    8. Posted by Art Fri May 22, 2009 2:41 pm EDT

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    yeah the font on the Osgood jersey is from pre-season... is it possible the footage shot is stock footage taken from pre-season when players aren't more in a zone and try to avoid distrations like posing for 30 second TV show intros?
  9. JohnB
    9. Posted by JohnB Fri May 22, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

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    Definetly a pass on the Chelios Jersey, pass on Wrigley, fail for everyone else.
  10. Pharazon
    10. Posted by Pharazon Fri May 22, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

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    that osgood lettering is actually the lettering that the Wings use in training camp and in the exhibition season. Notice that the name is sewn on in a patch and not in individual letters.
  11. Marc
    11. Posted by Marc Fri May 22, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    The 61 Hawks jersey is the worst I've seen in awhile.
  12. Johnathan B
    12. Posted by Johnathan B Fri May 22, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    I think there are 2 different Osgoods (Osgie?)... there's the real one and then there's the one that plays waaaay over his head
  13. Mazarin
    13. Posted by Mazarin Fri May 22, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    Don Draper wins.
  14. George C
    14. Posted by George C Fri May 22, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    Figured I would submit the Wrigley one, the reasoning is it seems like a jersey you hand to the Mayor, not a fan. Not to mention it has the #09 on it, if it was just the #9 that would be terrible (Hull).
    Shocked the Dale Earnhardt Hawks Jersey was not included, c'mon Greg!
  15. moe
    15. Posted by moe Fri May 22, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

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    Fail on all. The only way the Canes "jersey" would be acceptable is over a hoodie. What the hell kind of shoes is that crosby kid wearing anyways?
  16. Hockey Nut
    16. Posted by Hockey Nut Fri May 22, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    I'm a Canes fan...but even I thought this was a bad idea when I saw them at The Eye.
    FAIL.
  17. CAPSCAPSCAPS
    17. Posted by CAPSCAPSCAPS Fri May 22, 2009 2:52 pm EDT

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    lol at 1
  18. altidforme
    18. Posted by altidforme Fri May 22, 2009 2:52 pm EDT

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    I'm giving a pass on any parents who spawn an NHLer. They can slice it and dice it with the kid's peewee jersey if they want. Fail to anyone else who tries it though.
  19. Adam Jones
    19. Posted by Adam Jones Fri May 22, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    I'll give a pass on the Chelios one. It's the guy's mom (what is she, like 400?). Families of players are allowed to transcend the whole "team loyalty" thing, because they root for whatever team du jor to win. Thus, Chelios's status as a Hawks/Wings icon can certainly transcend that ugly ass hybrid jersey.
  20. DT
    20. Posted by DT Fri May 22, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    Pass on that yellow Crosby. I don't know why, but pass. Can a team have 2 alternate jerseys? If so, the Pens need to bring that back, now. Awesome look.
  21. Deker
    21. Posted by Deker Fri May 22, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    I agree that the Osgood one is not as epic a FAIL as you write, this makes you look like a hockey uber-geek! So what if it's not the official game-worn jersey? The name is spelled right and it does look like a real jersey, only a geek would point out the lettering isn't exaclty right. By the way, nothing wrong with being a hockey geek!
  22. FF184
    22. Posted by FF184 Fri May 22, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    I agree - #1 gets the comment of the day lol
  23. Wyshynski
    23. Posted by Wyshynski Fri May 22, 2009 2:55 pm EDT

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    To everyone:
    We've updated with the Osgood/preseason info. It's one of the reasons we do these -- to try and figure out why jerseys look the way they do. It's no different than when we found out the Griffins' third jersey was a Red Wings-esque sweater. It's all about the education, people.
  24. Jenny D
    24. Posted by Jenny D Fri May 22, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    I have to give Mama Cheli a pass. (I'd do the same for Mama Staal, lest anyone think I'm just being a Detroit Cheli fan here.) I'm kind of neutral on the Wrigley one. Pass, but barely. The others fail. And the 'Canes muscle shirt made me actually snort out loud, which means it's good there aren't too many other people at work today to overhear me!
  25. lowerNC
    25. Posted by lowerNC Fri May 22, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    wysh...what do you have against carolina??? seriously....you write negative about us and our state...not all of us have a truck up on blocks...not all of us have had our wife and dog leave us.....some of us even have a kollege edukation...
    you wanker..............

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