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Jersey Fouls Extra: Get your hands on this super-authentic 'Sergie Federoff' jersey

Jersey Fouls is our ongoing exploration of the rules and etiquette for proper hockey jersey creation and exhibition. If you spot what you think may be a foul in your arena, email a photo to us at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com for inclusion in future installment.

Suppose you want the jersey of a great Red Wing, one of a contingent of incredible, talented Russians who led the club to two Stanley Cups in the 90s, who was called by teammate Steve Yzerman "the greatest skater I've ever seen", who put up 120 points and won the Hart, the Pearson, and the Selke Trophy in 1994.

You know who I'm talking about: Sergei Fedorov. Sergie Federoff is someone else.

Sergei Federoff? From eBay.
Sergei Federoff? From eBay.

Common mistake. Sergei Fedorov played 13 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Sergie Federoff played just one shift in one game for them.

It's a pretty amazing story, actually. Federoff grew up playing hockey in the tiny country of Andorra, but not ice hockey. Something called straw hockey, in which you tried to navigate a frozen cow tongue through a field of loose straw with a broom. He got very deft at stickhandling, and in 1990, headed to North America to pursue his dream of being a hockey player. When he arrived in Detroit by happenstance, he walked up to someone and said, "I'm Sergie Federoff and I'm here to play hockey". It set off a mass panic! "Sergie!" They said. "You're supposed to be playing hockey right now! Hurry! Hurry! I'll drive you there."

With no time to waste, Federoff arrived at the arena and was handed all of Sergei Fedorov's gear. After pointing out the spelling error, it was corrected, and he was sent to the bench. But as soon as he got over the boards, it became apparent that he couldn't skate, and also that Sergei Fedorov was sitting on the bench, terribly confused. He was quickly shuttled away and never heard from again, although his jersey remains a piece of Red Wings lore.

Anyway, it's possible that this jersey is a nod to that super-true story. Or it's the worst spelling error of all-time, and you definitely shouldn't buy it. Or maybe you're a collector of jerseys with spelling errors, in which case you should. The opening bid is just $10.

Stick-tap Dan Ryan