Diehard Buffalo Sabres fans in Yukon take note, there may be a bargain to be had.
The NHL team apparel is no longer the hot commodity it once was in the territory — in fact, it’s quite the opposite. That’s because Yukon hockey star Dylan Cozens has been traded away.
At the Sports Experts retail store in Whitehorse, Sabres jerseys are on sale and hats are adorned with red “sale” stickers.
Last month, Cozens — “the workhorse from Whitehorse” — was sent from Buffalo to Ottawa in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline. And with that move came a shift in allegiance among those in Cozens’s hometown who are more keen on cheering for the player than the team.
“If anyone wants a good deal on Buffalo gear, we can definitely have a discussion,” said Jason Gendron, general manager at Sports Experts, which sells professional sports merchandise.
If anyone wants a good deal on Buffalo gear…– Jason Gendron, general manager at Sports Experts in Whitehorse
Gendron says while Sabres gear is now collecting dust in his store, it’s the opposite with Ottawa Senators gear.
“We have seen an uptick since the trade happened,” said Gendron. “We’re responding accordingly, trying to get some [Senators] gear in.”
As it stands now, the store doesn’t have any Senators merchandise. Gendron says it wasn’t a priority until Cozens joined that team.
Demand has grown even more since Ottawa clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2017.
“Now that they’ve made the playoffs we have some jerseys, t-shirts and hats ordered,” Gendron said.
“I know there’s a big fever to get Cozens jerseys but they can’t just be ordered on the spot. We do have some blank jerseys coming up.”
‘Stuff still has value’ for proud dad
Someone not looking to get rid of Sabres gear is Mike Cozens, Dylan’s dad. He estimates he’s accumulated about 10 hats and several jerseys.
“I’m keeping it,” said Mike. “There’s people that just got Sabres gear at Christmas, I’m not sure what they’re going to do.”
Cozens says the Sabres gear has a special place in his heart. Dylan made history in 2019 when he became the first Yukoner to ever be selected in the first round of the National Hockey League draft.
“The Sabres stuff, you know that was the team that drafted him,” said Mike. “It was an exciting time while he was there and that stuff still has a value.”
Mike is holding on to the Sabres gear for another reason. He says he’d ultimately like to see some of it on display alongside gear from other Yukon star athletes.
“It would be great to have a place to show off all our great athletes, our skiers, our swimmers,” said Mike. “So that people can go in and see the ski poles from so-and-so. If the city ever decides to do that, I’ll have a jersey for them.”
As for Senators gear being available in time for the playoffs, Gendron is optimistic.
“I’m trying to get it flown up as we speak,” he said.
The playoffs begin April 19. It’s not yet known who Ottawa will face in round one.