Albany District Dutchmen hockey jersey

There are numerous sports teams and leagues across our nation, entirely comprised of working adults looking for a fun way to relax after a long day. Postal employees have been no different. They have a long history of forming sports teams, just for fun. As early as the late 19th century, there have been postal employee baseball and basketball teams, bowling leagues, bands and choirs. Some postal employees even moonlight as hockey players.

Postal employee Mike Gallagher, #17, wore this jersey for the Albany District Dutchmen in 1997. The Dutchmen were just one of several hockey teams throughout the US and Canada who have participated in the International Postal Hockey Tournament. This tournament has been played since 1977 with the mission of “Friendship through Hockey.” The tournament, still held each year, is an opportunity for employees to come together and have fun outside the post office. But these games are not just about fun. The tournament has raised over a million dollars for various US and Canadian charities.

Museum ID: 2008.2019.1