Crest The crest measures 12" from the top of the "A",
straight down to the bottom-most portion of the puck.
Custom
Sleeve Sizing As with 96-97, the 97-98's
had custom sleeve configurations from the factory. Sleeve widths are
anywhere from 7" to 11" at the cuff. Sleeve lengths are usually
20" to 22" (see "Size Tag" below for an explanation
of the tagging itself). Some players still had additional alterations
performed on their sleeves, in spite of the varying size options.
Nameplates The letters measure 4".
The letters are sewn to a nameplate, which is sewn to the jersey.
Numbers In 97-98 the numbers on the jerseys' backs were reduced
in size. Beginning this season, the back numbers should measure approximately
12", however they may measure as large as 12.25" on any given
jersey, but the sleeve numbers should still measure 4.5.
Note 10.22.00: At the
Detroit Jersey Expo, I examined a 97-98 Kamensky road jersey that had
back numbers which were 13", not the standard 12" noted for
this season. The jersey appeared to me to be legitimate, down to the
style of the set mark in the collar. This is the only jersey I have
seen like this, but it establishes that nothing is absolute when it
comes to the specifications on these jerseys. There appears to be many
exceptions out there.
In 97-98, the inlaid number layering introduced
in 96-97 was the standard configuration. Instead of the traditional
top-to-bottom layering, the new construction featured the main portion
of the number on the bottom, with the outer two colors raised even with
each other, for an inlaid effect.
Beginning with the 96-97 playoffs, the
"2" lost its pointed tail in favor of a flat one. This is
carried over into the 97-98 jerseys. At some point (it is unclear when)
the "3" also took on a slightly different look: the bottom
portion became slightly more rounded, with a little less of the "dagger"
look. It is a very slight difference, and can only be seen easily when
comparing two jerseys from different years.
Outer
hem logo Beginning in 97-98, the jerseys
feature different Starter logos on the home and away. The home jerseys
have the Starter star logo, while the road jerseys carry the word "Starter"
spelled out. Both carry the NHL logo.
Set
Markings Set marks appear as numbers
(1,2,3) on the collar tag, and are made with a black marker. They may
or may not be smudged.
Size
tag The size tags in 97-98 are similar
to those from 96-97, with two notable differences. First, the tag is
located in the neck, as in the first year, and are positioned below
the "Centre Ice" tag. Second, the numbering code is different.
In 97-98, the tag format is "56R-8-21", with the first number
being the jersey size and cut, the second being the sleeve width at
the cuff, and the third being the sleeve length from the shoulder seam
to the end of the sleeve.
Washing
Tags The washing
tags are located inside the jersey, stitched into the side seam. Unlike
previous years, the tag is now a single cloth tag with washing instructions
embroiderd on it. There are no logos. (Note, this washing tag configuration
appeared in some of the earlier jerseys, as well.)
