Ice hockey is a fast-paced, ice hockey patches sport where players skate and shoot pucks at high speeds. The hard surfaces of the ice and boards, and other players maneuvering (and often intentionally colliding) pose multiple safety hazards that can cause serious injuries. To reduce these risks, hockey players wear a variety of protective gear. This includes a helmet, shoulder pads/chest protector, elbow pads, mouth guard, heavy padded shorts, a ‘jock’ athletic protector, and shin pads.

A hockey player’s jersey has a number, which is used to identify each team member during play. It also has a letter patch, which identifies the player’s role on the team. Typically, the letter A is used for an alternate captain, while the letter D designates a player as a defenseman.

On the Ice: Exploring Ice Hockey Patches

The “A” in the letter patch of a player’s jersey stands for “Alternate Captain.” The position of alternate captain is one of the leadership roles on a hockey team, and the alternate captain assists the team’s captain in various on-ice duties such as communicating with the referees.

NHL teams are permitted to add 2.5-by-2-inch advertising patches to their jerseys in exchange for sponsorship money. Many fans have feared the introduction of the ads could be the start of a slippery slope, leading to jerseys that look like NASCAR jumpsuits or European hockey sweaters adorned with sponsor logos.