Hundreds of games behind an NHL bench, seven seasons at the helm of the Detroit Red Wings and now a new chapter with the Chicago Blackhawks: Jeff Blashill knows the rhythm of a professional hockey season well.
Between games, travel and the countless decisions that come with the job, preparation is part of the daily routine, and for Blashill, it starts before he even steps behind the bench.
During a visit to the Surmesur booth at the NHLCA Global Coaches’ Clinic, he met with Zach Barzanty, stylist at our Pittsburgh showroom, to talk about style, travel and the importance of the suit on game days. His relationship with Surmesur, however, goes back several years.
A First Suit That Goes Back to Vegas
Blashill still remembers his first Surmesur suit, designed around the time of the Vegas Expansion Draft.
“Yeah. I actually do remember my first Surmesur suit. It was during the Vegas Draft when I actually got the first suit. The whole group there did an excellent job of helping me pick out what my style was and maybe have it pop a little bit. It’s been a good suit for me.”
This time, however, Zach has some additional pressure to deal with: getting the approval of Blashill’s real fashion consultant.
“My daughter’s my fashion consultant. So, if she doesn’t like this look, we’ll both hear about it.”
It’s a situation Zach can relate to, joking about the times his own wardrobe choices get questioned once he gets home.
Making Wardrobe Decisions Easier
An NHL season also means spending a significant amount of time on the road. For Blashill, having someone help put his outfits together means one less decision to make in an already busy schedule.
“The way our league is and how many games you play, I think having somebody that can help me to put outfits together honestly just makes those decisions easier.”
This is also where the role of a stylist goes beyond selecting a fabric or taking measurements. A well-planned wardrobe makes it easier to create different combinations and know what to wear when it’s time to pack for the next road trip.
Travelling With Your Suits
With so many games away from home, travelling with suits inevitably becomes part of the routine. Blashill uses both a garment bag and a suitcase, depending on the length and nature of the trip.
And when he has to fold his suit?
“I do okay, but maybe not great at it.”
Zach takes the opportunity to show him his method: fold the jacket in half, flip one shoulder inside out and carefully line up the shoulders. Then, fold the trousers along their seams to avoid creating an additional crease, place them inside the jacket and fold everything together.
It’s a simple technique that keeps the suit compact inside a suitcase while helping minimize unwanted creases, a useful trick over the course of a long season.
The Suit as Part of Game-Day Preparation
Beyond fit, outfit combinations and even how to pack a suitcase, Blashill ultimately comes back to what wearing a suit represents to him on game day.
“Anytime that you feel like you’re put together, ready for the moment, I think all those things help you.”
For Blashill, it’s another way to mentally prepare for what awaits behind the bench. And even as hockey’s dress habits continue to evolve, he fully embraces his traditional side.
“I’m certainly old school. I never want to go away from the suit and ties. Get ready for work in game day suits, and I think that’s a big thing.”
For him, putting on a suit is therefore part of the preparation. Like the other routines that come before a game, getting dressed marks the moment when it’s time to shift into work mode. After hundreds of games behind an NHL bench, that tradition continues to accompany Jeff Blashill as he prepares for the next challenge.
Like the style behind the NHL bench?
Book an appointment with a Surmesur stylist to create a made-to-measure look that’s uniquely yours.