Ilya Kovalchuk jersey burning.jpg

One fan already ignited his Ilya Kovalchuk jersey after the forward retired from the Devils and the NHL.

(Kevin Cronan)

There's no doubt Ilya Kovalchuk's retirement came as a huge shock to Devils die-hards yesterday.

But there must have been some extra sting of fury from owners of Kovalchuk's jersey, especially if it was purchased in the last year or so.

Imagine spending your hard-earned cash on a Kovy jersey from the NHL -- hey, they're still available for $159.99 on NHL.com -- especially during or after a prolonged lockout that cost half a season and then watch as he suddenly leaves in his prime. Fans in Ohio took the jerseys of LeBron James, who bolted his home state and the team that drafted him for South Beach, and ignited them in anger. It's already happened with one Kovalchuk sweater, according to this reddit post.

Has Kovalchuk's decision forced you stop investing in jerseys completely? If not, there's the question of whom to invest in next -- Devil-for-life Patrik Elias re-signed, while Ryane Clowe is signed through 2017-18. New acquisition Cory Schneider could be the starting netminder of the future. A young player like Adam Larsson could be around for a while (but boy, has he been criticized by Devils fans in comments sections all over NJ.com). But buying a "premier home jersey" (blank or customized) on shop.NHL.com starts at $124.99. That's a pricey investment in the future.

How are you treating your Kovalchuk jersey today? Who's the next name you're putting on the back of your next purchase? Head down to the comments section to discuss.