UM Hockey "Garage Sale" and Jersey Auction

The Garage Sale is a pretty big event every year. The stuff they sell varies, but you should know the predominant clientele is always youth hockey teams, recreational hockey types, etc. because it's an opportunity to get lightly used or new-in-package high-end hockey gear for a tiny fraction of what it should cost. A lot of people go and buy their gear for the year in one morning. There's tons of sticks, gloves, padding, skates, etc. etc. Entire teams and people start lining up the night before and take turns camping out on the chairs while others sleep in the car. I went a few years back, got there at 5AM, and I was halfway around the back of the building. By the time doors open, the line is usually stretched all the way around Yost and then some. There's plenty of pretty cool stuff to be had, though, even if you get there late. I picked up a practice jersey (turquoise-first line), one of the team-issue Nike track suits (most comfortable clothing I own), and a couple other random things the time I went. They sell, literally, everything. The goalie masks were out there for upwards of $500, they were selling game helmets for $75 (that was the first time that happened, not sure if it continued), practice helmets, team-issued gear (even underwear, socks, etc.), the whole gamut of stuff. One of the popular items is always the winter ski jackets the team gets if they have to travel out to Fairbanks. There's also practice jerseys, which are color-coded depending on the line. Goalie jerseys are black, first line is turquoise, second line is blue?, third line is ?maroon?, injured jerseys are red, defensemen are gray. I think I paid like $30 for mine. Prices are generally pretty reasonable on stuff, except for the obviously collectible things like goalie masks. All in all, it's a very, very fun event, but it's a lot of waiting in line to fight through hordes of hockey players looking for gear, and from what I hear, the haul varies from year to year. It's never made clear what they will and will not have, so you may wait in line for hours and come out with nothing. Probably worth attending once just for the experience.

On the above post. +1 Cannot emphasize enough, " GET THERE EARLY!" So.... GET THERE EARLY!

jerseys are almost... i don't want to say reserved but i'll say reserved... for Dekers and Families. i say this in the way that their price tends to escalate beyond the average person's range and into the 'im paying this much as a thank you to the team and to secure one of my son's jerseys' range. iirc, each player is allowed to keep one jersey per year by NCAA rules so families will buy the opposite (he keeps home, they buy away), etc. i also do not know of any "Misc" jerseys given the fact if they were game used they would have had names stitched on. the above slew of colors relating to lines for practice are about the only jerseys i saw when it opened. i used to be really involved as a kid with the Deker stuff and there would always be a limited number of player jerseys (mostly kids who never played, etc.) and then a huge amount of gear and apparel. i have a windbreaker from that. sorry for the essay, would be happy to answer any directed questions i missed.

previous comments. If you play hockey, this is a great event to pick up gently used to brand new gear. Sticks, gloves, helmets, and various clothing items, usually at very good prices. FOr example, a few years back I picked up some new gloves for $35 or so. Retail on them would have been $150. I have not been there in a few years, but get there early. Like 8pm the night before early to be able to get in and have the best selection.

I've only been once, and I can't remember, do they take plastic? Checks? Cash only? thanks

For the silent auction on official game jerseys, the bidding was starting at $120. You should know that while the jersey will have a number on it, the players nameplate will be removed. Apparently it's a violation of some NCAA rule to auction off a jersey with a players name on it?