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Hockey jersey rules: number sizes, letters and colors
Most hockey rulebooks ask for a number on the back of every jersey. The captain wears a C and the alternates an A, on the front. High school rules set the sizes: back numbers at least 10 inches tall and sleeve numbers at least 4 inches. The numbers must be in a color that stands out from the jersey.
- As of October 2026
- USA Hockey, high school, college and Canada
- Numbers, letters and colors
The rules at a glance
The main uniform rules at each level, as of October 2026. High school rules come from the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations). College rules come from the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), and ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) club teams play under them.
| Level | Back number | Sleeve numbers | Captain letters | Home and away | Matching | Maker's logo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA Hockey | 0 to 99, in proportion to the player, with no minimum size | No minimum size | A C and up to two A's, about 3 inches, on the front | No rule in the main book | All players dressed alike | No limit in the main book |
| USA Hockey junior | At least 10 inches | At least 3 inches | As in the main book | Home in light, unless the teams agree | All players dressed alike | Only logos the league allows |
| High school (NFHS) | At least 10 inches, in block style | At least 4 inches, on both sleeves | Up to three, on the left front shoulder | Home in white or light, visitors in dark | Jerseys, socks, pants and helmets match | One per item, up to 2.25 square inches |
| College (NCAA and ACHA) | At least 10 inches | At least 4 inches, or on the front | A C about 3 inches, on the front | Home in light, visitors in dark jerseys and socks | Not covered here | One per item, in a box up to 2.25 square inches |
| Hockey Canada | At least 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) | Not covered here | A C and up to three A's, about 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) | Not covered here | Not covered here | Not covered here |
| Adult leagues | Set by each league | Set by each league | Set by each league | Set by each league | Most ask for matching jerseys with numbers | Set by each league |
Jersey numbers
Every player and goalie wears a number.
- Which numbers: 0 to 99, under USA Hockey rules.
- 01 and 1: USA Hockey counts them as two different numbers.
- Size: USA Hockey's main book sets no minimum size. The numbers are sized in proportion to the player.
- High school and college: back numbers at least 10 inches tall and sleeve numbers at least 4 inches.
- Junior leagues: back numbers at least 10 inches and sleeve numbers at least 3 inches.
- Color: a color that stands out from the jersey. High school rules ask for plain block numbers.
The C and the A
The captain wears a C and the alternates an A, on the front of the jersey.
- How many: one captain and up to two alternates under USA Hockey rules. High school teams may name up to three, in any mix.
- Hockey Canada: a captain and up to three alternates.
- How big: about 3 inches tall under USA Hockey, college and Hockey Canada rules.
- Where: on the front. High school teams wear it on the left front shoulder.
- Color: a color that stands out from the jersey.
- Goalies: under high school rules, a goalie cannot use the captain's rights.
Light and dark sets: who wears which
Most teams own a light set and a dark set, because the rules differ by level.
- High school: the home team wears white or light jerseys, and the visitors wear dark.
- College: the home team wears light. Visitors wear dark jerseys and socks.
- USA Hockey junior: the home team wears light, unless the teams agree otherwise.
- USA Hockey: the main book has no home or visitor color rule.
- Adult leagues: each league sets its own rule. One league puts the home team in dark jerseys.
Names, school names and patches
What else a jersey may carry, and where.
- High school, from 2026-27: the school's name, nickname, logo and mascot, and the player's name, are allowed on the jersey.
- Junior leagues: surnames in 3-inch block letters on the back, at shoulder height.
- The flag: one US flag up to 2 by 3 inches, under high school rules.
- Memorial patches: up to 4 square inches, only where the state allows them.
- Maker's logo: one per item under high school rules, no larger than 2.25 square inches, with no side longer than 2.25 inches.
- College: the maker's logo sits in a box of the same size, and a care label patch with a logo counts.
The fight strap
A fight strap, or jersey tie-down, is a strap inside the back of the jersey that fastens to the pants.
- Hockey Canada: junior and senior players must wear one.
- Our jerseys: we sew one in on request.
Neck guards: who must wear them
Several rulebooks now require neck laceration protectors. We do not make them.
- USA Hockey: all players except adults must wear one, since August 1, 2024.
- High school: required since 2024-25.
- College, from 2027-28: neck protectors and cut-resistant socks and sleeves, for Division I men and National Collegiate women.
Which rules your team plays under
The level of play decides the rulebook.
- Youth, junior and adult teams: most play under USA Hockey rules, through its affiliate in their state.
- High school teams: where the state association runs hockey, as in Michigan and Wisconsin, they play under the high school rules of the NFHS.
- Illinois: high school teams are clubs that play under USA Hockey rules.
- Junior leagues: the junior edition of the USA Hockey rules adds its own uniform rules.
- College club teams: they play under the college rules of the NCAA.
- Canada: teams play under Hockey Canada's rules.
- Adult leagues: USA Hockey rules, plus each league's own rules.
What we do
We make jerseys to your design. Check your league's rules before you order.
- Number and letter sizes: we confirm the sizes on your jerseys with your quote.
- Our logo: one small bolt on the outside, within the maker's logo limit. Every label goes inside.
- Junior teams: the bolt goes inside too, unless the league allows it.
What we do not make for hockey
We do not make helmets, cages or visors, neck guards, gloves, shoulder or elbow pads, hockey pants or girdles, shin guards, skates, sticks or goalie pads. We make the shells that go over hockey pants and girdles. We do not make cut-resistant socks or sleeves.
Where these rules come from
Read the rules themselves, and check your league's notes before you order. All were read on October 31, 2026.
- USA Hockey. Rules 202 and 203, and the casebook, 2025-29. USA Hockey: playing rules and casebook, 2025-29
- Junior leagues. Rule 203(b) of the junior edition, 2025-29. USA Hockey: junior edition, 2025-29
- Neck protectors. The USA Hockey rule from August 1, 2024. USA Hockey: neck laceration protector rule, July 19, 2024
- Three levels compared. The rules of USA Hockey, the NFHS and the NCAA side by side, updated September 30, 2026. Rules comparison 2026-27
- High school. The NFHS uniform rules, the 2019-20 summary. NFHS: ice hockey uniform rules
- High school, 2026-27. The comments on the rules, August 25, 2026. NFHS: comments on the rules, 2026-27
- High school changes. The NFHS story of May 21, 2026. NFHS: 2026-27 rules changes
- College. Rules 6.1, 9.1 and 9.6 of the NCAA rules, 2024-26. NCAA: men's and women's ice hockey rules
- Canada. Rules 2.2, 2.3 and 3.9, 2026-28. Hockey Canada: playing rules, 2026-28
- Adult leagues. One adult league's published player handbook, 2026 season.
Questions buyers ask
How big are the numbers on a hockey jersey?
High school and college rules ask for back numbers at least 10 inches tall and sleeve numbers at least 4 inches. USA Hockey's main book sets no minimum size. Junior leagues ask for at least 10 inches on the back and 3 on the sleeves.
Where do the numbers go?
On the back of every jersey, and on both sleeves under high school rules. College rules allow the front instead of the sleeves.
What do the C and the A mean on a hockey jersey?
The C marks the captain, and the A marks an alternate captain. USA Hockey allows one captain and up to two alternates, with letters about 3 inches tall on the front.
Where does the captain's C go?
On the front of the jersey. High school teams wear it on the left front shoulder, in a color that stands out from the jersey.
Which team wears white?
Under high school and college rules, the home team wears light jerseys and the visitors wear dark. Junior leagues do the same unless the teams agree otherwise. Adult leagues set their own rule.
Can a high school jersey carry the player's name?
Yes, from 2026-27. High school rules now allow the school's name, nickname, logo and mascot, and the player's name, on the jersey.
What number sizes do Sharknits jerseys have?
We confirm the number and letter sizes on your jerseys with your quote. Check your league's rules before you order.
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What happens next
- We reply with questions and a quote.
- We make one sample for you to check.
- You approve it, and we make your order.
contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a US corporate office near Chicago.