Who hasn’t been invited to, participated in or even made your friends show up to an “Ugly Sweater” Christmas party? It’s been a thing for years on the holiday party circuit, but it has now crossed over to the world of sports as well.
Specifically, it has really crossed over to the world of junior and minor league hockey. No fewer than a dozen teams are embracing the “ugly sweater” theme and donning special jerseys for the holiday season.
The latest in that trend are the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks:
Muskegon Lumberjacks unveil ugly sweaters -> https://t.co/9oIrdkkRRb pic.twitter.com/WUeCAqooLw
— Phil Hecken (@PhilHecken) December 18, 2015
They aren’t the only ones in the USHL embracing the theme either, as the Sioux Falls Stampede also joined in the fun.
Hey @Buccigross, check out these jerseys we will be wearing in tonight's @USHL game on Ugly Christmas Sweater night! pic.twitter.com/0lu8Qn3gOv
— Sioux Falls Stampede (@sfstampede) December 11, 2015
But the real fun of it all came from the AHL, where the highest level minor league affiliates of NHL teams exist.
Perhaps the biggest winner of them all were the Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliates, the Rockford IceHogs. They went all in on the holiday spirit and did perhaps the most tasteful of the “ugly sweater” theme.
Sweater game on point
The Colorado Avalanche affiliate, San Antonio Rampage, decided to not go big, but definitely something your crazy tech or science teacher in high school would wear.
@sarampage holiday jerseys are ready to go! pic.twitter.com/uC7woufZEK
— San Antonio Rampage (@sarampage) December 5, 2015
Don’t think the West Coast doesn’t get in to the act either, because the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, gave us some deliciously busy ugly sweater uniforms. Apparently they are also being auctioned off for charity. NIIICCEE.
Desperately want an #UglySweater jersey? We're auctioning off our remaining jerseys online!https://t.co/X55UMaS4dv pic.twitter.com/VXTlOO9Ghc
— San Jose Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) December 16, 2015
Other levels of hockey are getting in the act too, as the next level down, the ECHL, had a submission for your consideration.
Aaron Gens sporting the Allen Americans "Ugly Christmas Sweater" jersey that was worn last night. pic.twitter.com/XFfVhqASx5
— Amanda (@ShatteredLensTX) December 15, 2015
But don’t forget about the Southern Professional Hockey League (that’s really a thing) and the Peoria Rivermen, either. Their sweater game is STRROOONNGGG.
Our Ugly Christmas Sweaters are here!!! We'll wear these jerseys Fri night vs @RiverKings & have a postgame auction! pic.twitter.com/sA8MUxdLL5
— Peoria Rivermen (@Peoria_Rivermen) December 7, 2015
The winner for all-in this season? It isn’t even a United States-based team. Instead, the honor goes the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. Not only did the team find a way to incorporate its team colors in truly horrifying fashion…
'Tis the season #GameDay pic.twitter.com/7oqZHsw2Io
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) December 11, 2015
… but the coaches also got in to the holiday spirit on the bench as well.
Sarnia Sting coaches Jeff Barrat, Derian Hatcher and @chris_lazary sporting ugly Christmas sweaters behind the bench pic.twitter.com/8uO8iNsWHl
— Terry Bridge (@ObserverTerry) December 12, 2015
We’re not sure which were more impressive — the sweater jerseys or the coaches’ real-life sweaters.
All of this leads us to wonder where we can get our hands on this awesome collection. After all, there’s nothing better than an ugly Christmas sweater turned hockey sweater, folks.
