I've been collecting hockey jerseys (game worn and replica) since I became a Calgary Hitmen season ticket holder back around 2000. In 2017, the Calgary Pioneers, Calgary's first inclusive hockey team started playing, something I never thought I'd see. I've been a big fan of the Pioneers since they started.
In 2018, I started collecting Pride jerseys. Collecting Pride jerseys is bit more challenging than the typical jersey collecting. Pride games are usually a once-a-season event, and most of the time, the special Pride jerseys are often auctioned off or given as "jersey-off-their-back" prizes. So unless you know about the Pride games in advance, and you know where to bid for the jerseys, they're easy to miss. And I've missed a lot of them. Recently, some leagues like the EIHL have started to produce Pride jerseys for purchase as part of their regular merchandizing.
Hopefully, we'll get to a point where we won't need Pride Games, and inclusivity and respect for all will be normal at hockey games for players, fans, officials, and everyone. But as of 2021, we still need Pride events to raise awareness and fight for equal rights for all.
Pride Hockey Jersey Collection
Saskatoon Blades - #28 Lukas Hansen - Game-Worn Pride Jersey (acquired via Saskatoon Blades Jersey auction, January 2022)
New York Rangers - #33 DiGiuseppe Game-Worn Practice Pride Jersey (acquired via YouCanPlay auction, July 2021)
Harbour Lights - Trans Pride Jersey (acquired from the Team in May 2021)
San Jose Sharks - #57 DeSimone Game-Worn Pride Practice Jersey (acquired from the Team April 2021)
Southern Lights (acquired from the Team in April 2021)
Cardiff Devils - acquired March 25, 2021 directly from the Cardiff Devils hockey club
Coventry Blaze 2021 Pride Jersey - acquired Feb 2021 directly from the club
Sheffield Steelers 2021 Pride Jersey - acquired Feb 2021 directly from the club
Calgary Inferno Pride Jersey - Game worn - #31 ROSS (Goalie jersey) - acquired March 4, 2018
Calgary Pioneers - CIHA - acquired 2018
The first version didn't have the rainbow tape on the stick.
Prairie Panoptics - Calgary CIHA - acquired 2018
Melbourne Mustangs - Game Worn - NOVYSEDLAK #31 (Goalie) - acquired 2018-07-10
University Of Miami - acquired 2018-07-05
The Glitter Goalie
Since the Calgary Pioneers started playing in 2017, they've marched in the Calgary Pride Parade every year as part of the CIHA, with the You Can Play organization, and alongside the Calgary Flames Sports & Entertainment group which includes players from the Flames, Hitmen, Roughnecks, and Stampeders.
I've enjoyed marching with them each year as their unofficial "mascot" - The Glitter Goalie.
