History of the WAG Jacket

Shaylene Tielmann

If you have ever watched the NHL Playoffs, followed social media accounts focused on professional sports, or are someone who loves fashion, you may have seen the phrase “playoff jackets” or “WAG jackets”. The term ‘WAG’ stands for ‘wives and girlfriends’, and over the past decade if their partner's team made the NHL playoff teams they have created jackets to show their support. These jackets have their partners team logo, last name and number as the focal points. 

Though there isn’t a definitive answer to when the WAG jackets first appeared, most believe that it was during the 2017 playoffs, by the Washington Capitals partners. The team's WAGs were led by Lauren Oshie, who is the wife of former NHL star T.J. Oshie. It’s believed that she was the one who began this tradition and brought fashion as a way to show support for teams during the playoffs. 

These began as a simple denim jacket with patches with the players last name and number ironed or sewn onto the back. As time went on and other teams began to pick up the trend, they began to put their own spin on the ‘tradition’. Some added the team logo, rhinestones, signatures, or instead of patches they used embroidery.  

Eventually, teams moved away from the denim jacket and began to play around with different styles. Leather jackets, and bomber jackets became more common. As styles changed, the look of the jackets went from ‘self-made’ to ‘professional’. WAGs began to move away from the iron on patches and outsourced the creation of the jackets to actual companies and brands. Leading to partnerships with some local designers or fashion designers within the organization. 

In the past few playoff seasons one WAG in particular became known for her WAG jacket designs. Lauren Kyle McDavid, wife of Connor McDavid captain of the Edmonton Oilers, owns her own fashion brand and has partnered with not only the Oilers to design their playoff jackets, but other teams throughout the league. These jackets have a more minimal and fashionable look, while still incorporating the teams logos, partners name and their numbers. She has also designed WAG jackets for Team Canada multiple times. 

The popularity of the WAG jackets has moved beyond the NHL and made its way to other competitions in hockey such as 4-Nations and the 2026 Olympics. These jackets also use the country's colours and their history to represent the team even further. 

The AHL or the affiliate teams for the NHL have also jumped onto the WAG jacket trend for playoffs. Though many of these teams tend to still make their jackets themselves with patches or iron-ons, there is a more unique look to each design from team to. 

This 2026 Walter Cup playoff run saw the Montréal Victoire take on a version of the WAG jacket but renamed it the ‘SPF’ jackets, standing for spouse, partner and family. Where not only the partners wore the jackets to show support, but family members as well. 

This playoff tradition has also begun to move to other sports as well, most notably the NFL. Where the WAGs of players have taken on their own spin of the jackets, or other clothing styles. 

The WAG jackets have taken not only the NHL playoff world by storm but the fashion world as well. This tradition has become a great way for partners to show their support, while also showing off their personal style.