While most people think the pinnacle of Soviet military dominance was their armed forces, their truly dominant force was out on the rink.
HC CSKA Moscow (Central Sports Club of the Army, Moscow) was the Soviet Union's premier hockey power house. Over the course of the Soviet Leagues existence it won an astonishing number of regular season championships — 32 in its 46 year existence. By comparison, there hasn’t been an NHL team who has won more than 5 Stanley cups in a row.
This dominance wasn’t just limited to the Soviet Union. In the European Cup, they won every title but 2 from 1969-1990, including a 13 year streak from 1978-1990.
This dominance at hockey extended to the US as well with CSKA playing games against a variety of NHL teams from 1975 to 1991 and winning an astonishing 26 games out of 36 played. The skill of Soviet players didn’t go unnoticed by the NHL either, and once the Soviet Union collapsed there were ripe opportunities for the NHL teams to pick up some serious talent for a great price. Capitalists rejoice.
For a time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the hockey club was unofficially known as "the Russian Penguins" after the Pittsburgh Penguins bought an interest in the team. The Russian Penguins played 13 games in the International Hockey League as part of the 1993–94 IHL season. They brought all the skill of Soviet-style play to the NHL, with the added bonus that the players weren’t confined to their barracks after they were done playing. Yes, that's how intense the Soviets took their hockey.
Our homage jersey is knit out of premium polyester mesh with a durable sublimated print. Littered throughout the jersey are small nods to the Soviet Union, IYKYK. Perfect for ice game surfing or convincing gal’s at the bar that the fact you are playing “short handed” is actually related to hockey and not your skate size.
Specs
- Ideal for play or casual wear
- Durable sublimated print
- Homage to original Soviet CSKA Jersey
- Number “91” to represent fall of the Soviet Union
- Modern Polyester Mesh Fabric (Moisture-Wicking)
Sizing
Hockey Jerseys are oversized compared to your regular t-shirt or hoodie. We'd recommend going with your usual t-shirt size if you plan on layering underneath with hockey pads, a hoodie, etc. For a slimmer fit, we'd recommend going one size down.
