re: Is there a reason why hockey uniforms haven't become more ergonomically pleasing?

First, the players care more about being protected than looking good. The players are probably wearing more padding now then in the past. If that's the case, they don't want everyone knowing about it, so they prefer loose fitting jerseys and pants. Also think hockey fans are like MLB and College Football fans when it comes to changing uniforms. They don't like seeing changes.



I liked LSU's less shiny 1970's pants better then the ones they wear now.


I also liked the larger numbers than what they wear now..

Old Numbers:
Now:

I liked the full shoulder stripe instead of it coming to a square end like now



I really liked the numbers being on their shoulders the way they were in the 1950's more too.

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struggle to understand why they don't wear facemasks (like in college hockey).

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Sight lines. Lots of guys dont like that they make everyone wear visors now.

Dudes hate the full faced masks worn when they have a facial injury too.

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struggle to understand why they don't wear facemasks (like in college hockey). Crazy to risk losing teeth just because that's what everyone does. They deserve better head/face protection if you ask me.

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A few things. First and foremost, it's against hockey culture. The players take pride in being tough as absolute nails. You literally cannot be a LeBron and be accepted in hockey. Sidney Crosby got a *lot* of shite in his first few years for being a whiney bitch, and for not being tough. He got better, for sure.

In addition, the lack of protection actually makes the game somewhat safer. Similar to rugby, the players don't forget that they're vulnerable out there. Having your mouth and nose exposed reminds you just how close you are to the action kn the ice. Fewer dangerous risks are taken. They've even discussed softening elbow protection for this very reason - too many players were using hard cap elbow pads as weapons. Football helmets encourage risky heads hots. Hockey helmets do not.

Finally, as others have mentioned, tight fitting hockey jerseys restrict movement *way* too much. Reebok tried this back 15 years ago or so, and the players hated it. The game is too fluid and too fast to be encumbered by a useless restriction designed purely for esthetics.

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It was shocking the leading goalscorer in the league missed a playoff game with an injury this year in the NHL

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I remember seven guys on the team that didn't miss games in the playoffs had surgeries the week after the Stars won The Stanley Cup. They played through injuries that would sideline most guys in other sports.

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Peter Forsberg played a game after his spleen ruptured. Paul Kariya, who wasn't a bruiser by any stretch, had the Off the Ice, On the Board play against the Devils back in '02.

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but MJ played a game with a hangover

Material of hockey sweaters has changed substantially.

Hot/Cold sports materials for uniforms in both football and hockey have gotten so much better in just the last few decades. Everything is so much more comfortable and better.

I just think Hockey likes the baggy sweater design. NHL did some Reebok jerseys in an all star game (somewhere in the mid-late 2000s I think) that were pretty form fitting. Everyone hated them.

Oh, and you want your hockey sweater loose so as not to restrict your movement. Simple as that.

Nothing worse than going to take a shot and having your jersey "grab" you.

I used to tuck my jersey up into my breezers on the right side because when I would go to shoot I didn't like the jersey grabbing and creeping up that side.

Kind of agree. I played for about 12-13 years as a kid. I played ice and roller hockey. I preferred the roller uniform due to the pants. I didn’t wear padded shorts underneath but some did. I taped below knee and at ankle so the pants were tight. Most pants had kidney padding. Tucked my jerseys at waist and sleeves into elbow pads. With ice you had to wear padded shorts and I hated the socks and garter. Mask wise it used a chrome mask bc it was easier to see through than black or white. Plastic got foggy.

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The players are probably wearing more padding now then in the past.

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You serious Clark?

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it seems weird to have big baggy shirt sleeves hanging down to your wrists instead of tapered sleeves with padding on the arms (and same for the non tapered hem of the sweaters around the midsection).

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You answered your own question. It's because they are "sweaters", not traditional uniforms or "jerseys".