A hockey jersey is the loosest garment in the store, and it is loose on purpose — it was designed to be worn over shoulder pads. That means the chest starts higher than you expect, the sleeve is a long raglan, and sizing down is the mistake almost everyone makes. Here is how to get it right.
The short answer
Order your true size. The roominess is already designed in, so there is nothing to size up for — and plenty to lose by sizing down.
- Order your true chest size. A hockey sweater is already cut to clear shoulder pads; adding a size on top of that is not a thing you need to do.
- Never size down. The loose silhouette is the point. A snug hockey jersey reads as the wrong garment in the same way a tight football jersey does.
- Check the sleeve column first. Hockey uses a long raglan that reaches the wrist, and it is the measurement people are least prepared for.
- It is the best jersey to layer. A hockey sweater goes over a hoodie without a size change.
Why a hockey jersey is cut this loose
Start hereThe hockey jersey is the only one in this guide that was designed around equipment rather than around a body. It has to clear shoulder pads, which sit high and wide, so the shoulder line is broad, the body is cut straight and generous, and the arm is a long raglan that runs all the way to the wrist instead of stopping above the elbow.
That is why the chest band on a hockey chart starts higher than the same letter in another sport. It is not a labelling error. It reflects the fact that a hockey sweater is meant to have room in it when you are standing still — the fabric is supposed to drape and fold, not follow the outline of your torso.
The practical consequence: a hockey jersey that fits snugly through the chest is undersized, and a hockey jersey that reaches your wrist in the sleeve is correct.
How to measure for a hockey sweater
Two minutesBecause a hockey sweater is so generously cut, most people get the chest right and the sleeve wrong. Measure both.
- Chest. Laid flat, measured straight across from underarm seam to underarm seam, then doubled. This decides your size.
- Sleeve — the one to check twice. From the shoulder point along the outside of the raglan sleeve to the cuff. On a hockey sweater this should come down to the wrist, not the forearm.
- Body length. From the highest point of the shoulder to the bottom hem. Expect a hockey sweater to finish at the hip or just below.
- Shoulder width. Measured flat across the top, seam to seam, if you are deciding between two sizes — it is the column that shows the drape most clearly.
NHL jerseys
Chest and sleeveRead your chest band, then confirm the sleeve. If your chest sits inside a band and the sleeve length lands at your wrist, that is your size — even if the jersey looks wide on the hanger.
| Size | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) | Length (in) | Length (cm) | Sleeve (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 40–43 | 102–109 | 30 | 76 | 24 |
| M | 43–46 | 109–117 | 31 | 79 | 25 |
| L | 46–49 | 117–124 | 32 | 81 | 26 |
| XL | 49–52 | 124–132 | 33 | 84 | 27 |
| 2XL | 52–55 | 132–140 | 34 | 86 | 28 |
| 3XL | 55–58 | 140–147 | 35 | 89 | 29 |
Notice how much larger the chest bands are than in the soccer chart a few pages over. That difference is the whole story of hockey sizing. If you wear an L in soccer and order an L here expecting the same feel, you will get a garment that is deliberately roomier — and that is the correct outcome, not a reason to size down.
Game-day layering: hoodies and jackets
Layer-friendlyHockey is the one sport where the oversized cut genuinely earns its keep: a sweater goes over a hoodie in the same size. That makes it the simplest layering piece in the store, and the chart below is for the hoodie, not the jersey.
| Size | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) | Waist (in) | Length (in) | Length (cm) | Sleeve (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 35–38 | 89–97 | 29–32 | 26–27 | 66–69 | 33.5 |
| M | 38–41 | 97–104 | 32–35 | 27–28 | 69–71 | 34.5 |
| L | 41–44 | 104–112 | 35–38 | 28–29 | 71–74 | 35.5 |
| XL | 44–48 | 112–122 | 38–43 | 29–30 | 74–76 | 36.5 |
| 2XL | 48–53 | 122–135 | 43–48 | 30–31 | 76–79 | 37.5 |
| 3XL | 53–58 | 135–147 | 48–53 | 31–32 | 79–81 | 38.5 |
Two things worth knowing. A hoodie is cut to be worn alone or under a jersey, so take your normal size rather than sizing up. And if you plan to wear the combination all winter, keep the jersey at your true size and let the sweater drape — sizing it down over a hoodie is what produces the pinched, stretched look hockey sweaters are not supposed to have.
Sizing questions we get most
Should I size down for a hockey jersey?
No — it is the most common mistake with this cut. A hockey sweater is deliberately loose because it is built to sit over shoulder pads. Sizing down produces a garment that pulls across the chest and shortens the sleeve, which destroys the silhouette the jersey is known for. Order your true chest size and let it drape.
The jersey looks enormous on the hanger. Is that normal?
Yes. A hockey sweater is the loosest cut we carry and it is meant to look that way before you put it on. Judge it by the sleeve length and whether the chest falls into your band, not by how wide it looks folded.
How long should the sleeve be?
To the wrist. Hockey uses a long raglan sleeve, so a cuff that stops at the forearm means the jersey is too small. This is the single best check on whether the size is right.
Can I wear a hoodie under my normal jersey size?
Yes, and that is the advantage of this cut. A hockey sweater over a hoodie in a comparable size works without changing either. If you wear an unusually thick hoodie, a sweater one size up is comfortable — this is the one league where sizing up is harmless.
How do I care for a hockey jersey so it keeps its shape?
Wash cold and inside out, and keep it out of a hot dryer. The weight of a hockey sweater means heat does more damage here than in a lighter jersey — it is what pulls the shoulders out of shape and dulls printed crests over time.
What if the size is wrong?
Returns are open for 30 days from delivery, tags attached and unworn. Start the return from your order confirmation email; the steps are on our Returns & Exchanges page.
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Every chart here is taken flat across the finished sweater. Half an inch of variation between production runs is normal, so match your measurement to the nearest band rather than expecting an exact figure.
