Players and fans got their first look Thursday at the generic jerseys that Team Canada and Team USA will wear at this week’s IIHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark.
The early reviews from fans were not positive.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston passed on photos of the jerseys for the two teams on X, with the responses almost entirely negative.
“I’m sorry what,” TSN contributor Meghan Chayka wrote among the many comments.
Canada’s jersey is all red with the word “Canada” written in the top third of the otherwise blank front. For the United States, the familiar “USA” is written in the top third of a blue jersey with white on the shoulders.
Hockey Canada confirmed on Wednesday that the team is obligated to don a jersey made by TRUE Hockey, the IIHF’s official manufacturer, and not their own by Bauer.
In the statement, Hockey Canada confirmed that the team had yet to even see what they will be wearing.
“While we have yet to see the jersey Canada will be playing in on Friday, our team remains focused on the tournament and representing our country proudly on and off the ice,” the statement said.
The possibility of wearing generic uniforms was raised last week by TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnson and Hailey Salvian in The Athletic. The IIHF and Hockey Canada, along with USA Hockey, have been embroiled in a dispute over commercial rights to jerseys. In 2025, the IIHF signed an exclusive deal with TRUE Hockey. Hockey Canada already had an agreement in place with Bauer on a deal through 2033-2034. Which agreement supersedes the other had been the source of legal action with Hockey Canada contending that statute 24.3 in the IIHF’s bylaws grant “all rights related to their national team logo, emblem and uniform design” to Member National Associations.
Hockey Canada and USA Hockey filed for a temporary injunction after a September IIHF congress ruled that the organization had the authority to override the statute, but the injunction was ultimately lifted.
Canada opens up its tournament on Friday against Sweden. The team is looking for a record 14th title.