IIHF Retro Jerseys at 2008 World Championships

Despite what statistics and news coverage would have you believe there are actually people who care about the IIHF World Championships. The Swedes for one, who on a daily basis have covered the Stanley Cup playoffs in the news - not for the sake of reporting on the potential winners, but rather the potential losers. You have to be out of the playoffs if you want to be in the World Championships which will start in the coming week. (Who schedules this?)

In addition to the hype surrounding the event purely based on this year's host Canada, the IIHF is also celebrating it's 100th anniversary and what better way to do so then to bring back some of the great jerseys of yesteryear. Team's will be wearing vintage jerseys for one game during the preliminary round. These jerseys, which include Canada's infamous 1976 Canada Cup style, can be seen on the IIHF's website here: IIHF Vintage Jerseys, (also includes game times). The US will be wearing jerseys from 1960 - the first time they won the gold medal in the US. (Some great photos can be found here.

No doubt these will be popular with fans, and depending on which players actually do decide to take part in the tournament could sell pretty well. With things starting in just 3 days we should see them available for sale soon.

In the photo - yes, that is Bobby Orr and that is what Canada will proudly be wearing vs the US on May 6th.