by MICHAEL CITROME

Throwback sports jerseys have become big fashion. Turn on nearly any hip hop video and you’ll see guys wearing pro sports jerseys that haven’t been seen in decades. But with all this eerie confluence between BET and ESPN Classic, one thing is missing—the coolest game of all, hockey. We have yet to see Jay-Z rep a 1990–1991 Minnesota North Stars jersey, but it’s probably just a matter of time.

A few months ago, Canadian hockey outfitters CCM launched a select range of throwback jerseys under the label “Vintage Hockey.” The jerseys are available at most sports stores and sell for about $100. The series includes classics like the Gretzky-era Oilers jersey, the squared-off tête carré ’80s Leafs jersey, and the gangsta-as-hell purple-and-gold L.A. hook-up, which features as its central design motif a crown that would do the Burger King proud.

But what’s much hotter are the teams that aren’t around anymore. CCM is remaking jerseys from the Quebec Nordiques (1972–1995), the Minnesota North Stars (1967–1993) and the Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996), currently asphyxiating in the ungodly dry heat of Phoenix, Arizona.

Home and away

At Edition Limité, a sports memorabilia store in the Eaton Centre, Vintage jerseys are flying off the racks. “At the moment they’re selling more than the current jerseys,” says owner Phil Morgan. “I purchase the most of any store in Montreal from CCM.” He adds that the number one seller is the Nordiques: “It’s a Quebec team… well, it was a Quebec team.” Other big sellers include the North Stars and the Colorado Rockies. “Any of the cities that have departed.”

In addition to the 11 throwbacks out now, CCM has more up their sleeve for the spring. In the works are reverse jerseys for most of the styles currently available, which means if the home jersey is out now, we’ll be getting the away jersey in the spring, as well as new throwbacks for Detroit, Chicago, New Jersey and the NY Islanders. For those fans who want a little more realism with their retro jerseys, which come unlettered, some stores customize throwbacks with the name and number of classic stars of the ice.

“Lafleur, Sakic, Forsberg for the Nordiques, Bobby Hull for the Jets, Gretzky for the Oilers,” rattles off Morgan. For people who haven’t seen an Oilers 99 jersey since childhood, that’s a pretty exciting proposition.

From CCM to CCCP

A few other companies also produce retro hockey gear. Ebbets Field Flannel makes near-perfect replicas of ’50s and ’60s era NHL jerseys including a Rocket Richard-era Habs jersey. They’re pricey at about $225 (U.S.). Blue Tiger Athletics, an online-only retailer, has a unique selection of jerseys: Olympic Team Canada and Team USA jerseys from the ’70s and ’80s, Washington Capitals, Atlanta Flames and California Golden Seals NHL jerseys, and the infamous Soviet Red Army CCCP jersey. Blue Tiger also carries an extensive selection of contemporary Russian and European league apparel.

So what do throwback heads and hockey fans want to see next? According to Phil Morgan, the Hartford Whalers jersey is the number one request, although there are no plans to retro it. Apparently CCM doesn’t have the license yet. :

Edition Limité is located in the tunnel level of the Eaton Centre. Ebbets Field Flannel is on the Web at www.stallanddean.com and Blue Tiger Athletics is at http://bluetigerathletics.homestead.com/BlueTigerAthleticsHomepage.html.