Do you see the spiffy crest on David Backes' hat? Looks nice, doesn't it? It's the kind of thing that would be fantastic as a focal point on a jersey.
It's not the focal point on Team USA's jersey. Witness:
Nike unveils 2014 USA Olympic Hockey Jerseys pic.twitter.com/NdetcKhvdD
— Heidi Burgett (@heidiburgett) August 27, 2013
This is not hyperbole on my part - I literally cannot recall a positive tweet in response to this thing. Why? So many reasons. The stars on the shoulders look like patriotic dandruff. The fake tie that Nike has on the Olympic jerseys this year is just idiotic looking. The stripe on the whites across the shoulders is too stuff and squared off - it looks like the Tropic of Cancer to the players' equators. The blue's too dark. The crest, which is literally the only good thing about it, is too small.
I mean it could be worse - Russia's the host nation and their jerseys are absolutely atrocious, especially compared to their usual sweaters. But there's just something about these this year. They make already awkward photos look worse. Backes can't even make them look good.
David Backes in Team USA jersey. Likes it but admitted that faux ties are "pretty suspect." pic.twitter.com/x5aZaAd9t1
— katiebakes (@katiebakes) August 27, 2013