Canadian hockey fans from coast to coast are being invited to donate their sweaters in an effort to create the ultimate jersey.
Rogers Communications launched The Great Canadian Jersey program on Monday, January 5, encouraging fans to donate old jerseys from any level of hockey at participating Rogers stores across the country. Pieces of the jerseys will be stitched together “to create one-of-a-kind hockey jerseys representing all facets of the sport and our country’s deep history with the game,” according to a press release.
The resulting jerseys — which will be designed by Cameron Lizotte, a former Ontario Hockey League player — will be “worn by Canada’s top hockey players as a symbol of our national pride in the game.”
“Whether it’s a child’s first minor-league team, a beer-league favourite or a retired NHL jersey, Canadians are invited to share their piece of history to be a part of history. With hockey’s deep roots in our culture, we are incredibly proud to launch this project as a way for Canadians to show their pride for our team and our game.”
— Terrie Tweddle, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Rogers Communications
The campaign was kicked off by Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Montréal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who each donated a jersey from their personal collections.
Poulin donated a Victoire jersey from her first season in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. “I’ve been pretty fortunate in my career to have many different jerseys, but the one that really stood out for me was our first Montreal jersey in the PWHL,” she told the Canadian Press. “It was the summary of years of hard work to make sure we’re able to have a league together. There’s a lot behind that jersey, and it just brings me a lot of joy every time I wear it. I think this is a very special initiative … we all know hockey brings people together.”
Meanwhile, McDavid’s donation was a jersey from the York Simcoe Express, with whom he won four Ontario Minor Hockey Association championships.
“It’s my local AAA team, the first team I was a part of, and it’s a special jersey that holds a great place in my heart,” McDavid said. “Those are some of my favourite memories, playing hockey with your good buddies as a kid on the local team.
“There’s a lot of different jerseys I could’ve picked, but I think this one just kind of represents what hockey is all about and what it means to our country, playing locally at home with the kids from your area. It wasn’t an easy choice, but definitely the right one.”
Canadians can drop off their jerseys at their local Rogers store until Thursday, January 15. Fans can also mail in jerseys if they can’t donate in person. Mailing information can be found at Rogers.com/TheGreatCanadianJersey.
Everyone who donates a jersey will be entered in a draw to win a trip to any Canadian NHL team away game in the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season.
The final patchwork jerseys will be unveiled later in January and will feature in a national Rogers advertising campaign.
