A Reebok Premier Replica? A Reebok EDGE Authentic? Is there a difference?

Here are two of the new jerseys available to the public to start the 2007-2008 NHL season.
But is there actually a difference between the two (apart from the extortionate price)???

• As many NHL fans already know, the league is unveiling sleeker, lighter, more durable hockey uniforms from Reebok. Rbk claims they will enable players to skate faster, increase their range of motion, while keeping players drier and cooler on the ice. 
• The uniforms are 14% lighter in pregame weight, the equivalent of more than a 6-ounce puck in weight.
• The new uniforms are more ergonomically fitted to a player's body, shoulder and elbow pads, pants and shin guards. But newer fabrics such as stretch mesh actually give players greater range of motion because the uniforms move with their bodies.

Already there are some sellers out there that will bamboozle you into buying a Premier Replica when it's advertised as an EDGE Authentic. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a Premier Replica.
But there is if you are paying an "Authentic Jersey Price"!

Here is my updated guide for the 2007-2008 NHL Jerseys, so that you will never be conned out of hard earned cash by wrongly described advertisements.

Material.

• Reebok Premier Replica Jersey has patented 100% polyester two-way stretch pique.
• The RBK Premier Replica Jersey will be the most widely available jersey and widely purchased of all jerseys. However, even though they are made by Reebok, they are NOT the same ones worn by the players on the ice. These jerseys do NOT possess the same formfitting properties of Authentic Jerseys. 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jersey has patented Pro- Weight 100% double knit polyester. This material also features BeadAway Technology which reduces moisture retention by 73% and therefore drag by 9%, making the user of this jersey faster on the ice. This is not a feature in the RBK Premier Replica.
• The RBK EDGE Authentic Jerseys are the EXACT jerseys worn on the ice by the players. These are the FORMFITTING, DOUBLE STITCHED, ON-THE-ICE jerseys for the NHL teams and is the EXACT ones worn by your favourite NHL team. These are actually really hard to find, and furthermore, they cost an absolute fortune!

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have chest & shoulder logos (where applicable) feature a combination of screen printing, embroidery and appliqué twill. 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys have chest & shoulder crests on Pro Size tackle twill with embroidery Z-stitched directly onto jersey. EVERYTHING IS SEWN INTO THESE JERSEYS!

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have elbows and shoulders that are NOT reinforced. (Single layered jersey). 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys have double padded elbows and shoulders AND reinforced stitching on all seams and hems, underarm gussets

Details.

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys are sized Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large etc.
• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have a Reebok (GREY) neck label. They usually say 'Official Licensed Jersey'. Be wary of any other REPLICA brands of jersey (such as Starter and Pro Player). 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic / Game Jerseys are sized 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 etc.
• The RBK EDGE Authentic Jerseys have a Reebok NHL Centre Ice Collection Game Jersey neck label (BLACK). The label should say 'Authentic On Ice Apparel'.

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have a woven jock tag featured on lower left of the body of the jersey. 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys DO NOT HAVE JOCK TAGS.

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys feature a Reebok embroidered patch featured on lower left sleeve 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys DO NOT HAVE SLEEVE LOGOS.

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have no Fight Strap. 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys features a Fight strap attached inside back of jersey
  

Better pictures coming soon!

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have a Reebok woven patch appliquéd on the back of the neck. 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys have a Reebok woven patch EMBROIDERED into the back of the neck.

• Reebok Premier Replica Jerseys have NHL Platinum Shield Logo appliquéd on the collar. Be very wary of jerseys that have no NHL logo at all! 
• Reebok EDGE Authentic Jerseys have NHL PLATINUM SHIELD LOGO EMBROIDERED ONTO COLLAR

View my full guide by clicking the link below if you still are not sure:

Reebok 2008 Edge and Premier Jerseys Guide (Full)

Similarly, if you are having difficulty trying to find the right sized hockey jersey, go to my Hockey Jersey Sizing Page:

Ice Hockey Jersey Sizing Chart

If you have found this jersey guide helpful, please add a "Yes" vote to this guide so that others can share in the knowledge. The more votes received, the more coverage this guide gets and the more people are educated in what to look out for in a RBK Jersey!