Dirty Laundry Game Worn Forums

Maybe something to kick off the discussion section: What is you stance on jerseys that have been worn for one game (or even period) only, a.k.a. "one game wonders"?

I'm curious, since I've got the impression that the majority of collectors seem to prefer wear - something that is rather scarce on jerseys that saw 15 minutes time on ice.

Do you collect one game jerseys? Do you even focus on them? Or are they maybe of lesser value to you than those who were worn for several games?

My opinion: I prefer jerseys that were worn in several games and reflect that in the wear they show. However, it depends on the circumstances: I'm perfectly fine with a specialty jersey that was intended to be worn on one specific occasion, if at least the design is different from the regular one. It was never meant to be used beyond that game. Same goes for jerseys from players who just didn't make it in a team/league and never had more games: If they just had one game and then dropped out, there was no chance for more.
In other cases, rather not - it just seems like a cheap marketing trick for me, enabling teams to sell more jerseys. How many Phaneuf jerseys were there per set? 3 or 4? Were the several jerseys on Ovechkins road to his milestone necessary? In my opinion not. I only pick "regular" one game jerseys if I can't get my hands on one that saw more action and if I really want that player.

I would tend to agree. Most collectors want some sort of solid ware. For one game wonders I believe there is an exception to ware. Examples being: Stadium Games, Stanley Cup game, NHL Global Games. If you have a player or attended a game the jersey itself would be more of personal value than a jersey with heavy ware.

I, like many collectors, prefer gamers with wear. Through the years I have owned one game wonders, but gradually they departed my collection until I was left with none like that. In an ideal world, I would love to have two sets of jerseys (home and away) for a season with a specialty jersey only worn on say.... Sundays (that's five gamers a season). When the regular season ends, a playoff set starts (both home and road) and is worn the entire playoff and a Stanley cup final patch would be added to those lucky enough to get to the fourth round. Like I said this is ideal because it satisfies seven jerseys a season per player and give others the opportunity to own one as well. However, this will never happen again.

Done are the days of one home and one away jersey, done are days of even two sets per season, done are the single sets of specialty jerseys worn for entire season, and done are days of great stick mark wear. In the hobby (I would say it's a business; although if you are in it to make money, you will never win) the teams and third party companies have increased the number of jerseys worn by player. Their goal is to both satisfy the collector and/or fan while making a profit. The NHL has changed too... so a hook/slash is called almost every time the stick leaves the ice surface and get's horizontal thus making these marks difficult to find.

I would love to return to the days of where three sets (two regular season sets and a playoff set of home and road) were what we saw, but the desire for companies and teams to make money past just outfitting them with a jersey has taken off. There has NEVER been more collectors of the gamers out there and it will NEVER be better than it is today in terms of what available to collectors and fans. As long as people keep buying the one game wonders, specialty jerseys, or even the one period jerseys, teams will continue to make them. If you or I stop buying them, someone else will step forward with cash in hand saying, "take my money please" and off they go.

So in retrospect, this (right now) is the best the hobby will be moving forward and as long as the jerseys sell... there will be one game wonders. I wish it was not the case, but we are here.

I have a few outdoor style game jerseys that or one game wonders.. To be honest I could probably do without them and like wear and number of games played more. specialty jerseys are often really expensive too.

I did get caught up in the retro reverse collecting but now Even third jerseys I'm starting to lean away from.

For me, for now
name and team > photomatchability (stitch repair extra points > puck marks > unrepaired holes)> points/contribution/events (though scf win trumps everything) > style/specialty jersey.

Exceptions could be made for one game wonders if it's some kind of NHL debut or first point, first goal situation. There's usually a lot of pictures for those kind of things so photomatching is fairly easy in those situations