In a curious collision of hockey fandom and fashion parody, the NHL has introduced a new merchandise item that’s sparking both amusement and bewilderment: the NHL Fan Ink Tattoo Sleeve.
Available through the official Shop NHL website, the product is a nylon sleeve designed to resemble a full-arm tattoo, emblazoned with team-specific artwork. Marketed as a way for fans to “wear their hearts on their sleeves,” the product claims to offer a bold, expressive way to support your favorite team—without the commitment of actual ink.
The product description suggests pairing the sleeve with a polo shirt or T-shirt, though it notably leaves open the possibility of wearing it without a shirt at all—prompting some lighthearted concern online.
The sleeve is currently available for only 19 of the NHL’s 32 teams. Absent from the lineup are franchises such as the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils. Fans online have jokingly speculated that the omission of Montreal may be due to flammability concerns, while Devils supporters, known for their intense loyalty, are teased for not needing a fake tattoo to show their dedication.
Critics and fans alike have compared the product’s aesthetic to the flashy, embellished style popularized by Ed Hardy apparel in the 2000s—a look often associated with aggressive fashion choices and energy drink-fueled nightlife. The combination of hockey allegiance and faux-ink bravado has led some to describe the sleeve as a tongue-in-cheek “sign of the apocalypse” in sports merchandise.
Whether embraced as a novelty or dismissed as a gimmick, the NHL Fan Ink Tattoo Sleeve has certainly made its mark—at least on the internet.
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