1986-87 Mike Bullard ROAD BLACK Cooper Mesh by Century Sports
This is as close to a gamer as you can get. A real pro weight Cooper mesh jersey from 86-87 season in the highly desirable and sinister looking road black. Features a screened on crest and heat pressed name and numbering. The name is a "varsity" style font that is attached to a nameplate which has been sewn to the jersey, just like the game worns. The captain's C is also heat pressed to a separate piece of mesh and sewn to the front just like the pros. This one also has the Century Sports customizer logo embroidered on the rear hem as did the game jerseys that the Pens wore on the ice that season. The Cooper logo is embroidered into the rear hem as well. Note that the Cooper logo straddles the black and gold portions of the jersey while the LEMIEUX below has the Cooper entirely contained within the bottom hem. This was also the case with the real game worn Coopers during the 86-87 season and is indicative as to which set they were originally a part of. Heavyweight loop type fight strap and killer looking screened on mean penguin crest that surprisingly shows no signs of age cracking at all. A perfectly preserved piece of vintage Penguin history. The flimsy and inexpesive look of these jerseys is part of the appeal of them today. The Pens cut a lot of corners back then, and not many of these jerseys survive today let alone in like new condition. This one is a jersey I will hold onto for sure, as it is simply irreplaceable.
A great looking jersey obtained in a swap deal with local collector Wayne Jones who deserves a shout out for his great hospitality and for working with me on this jersey. I had to let go of a cup era Ultrafil to bring it home, but I have no regrets and am proud to add this one to my collection, as this flimsy Cooper style has always been a favorite of mine. No cracking to the crest or numbering whatsoever...this one is as it was the day it left Century Sports some 25 years ago. A true time capsule find.
1973-74 HOME WHITE Rawlings Durene Knit Team Issued
This is a blank team jersey from the 73-74 season that was given to a Penguins/Civic Arena employee upon request for a game jersey. Originally entered into the hobby back in 2006, and brought to me more recently by way of a Georgia based collector. The jersey has been authenticated by Rich Ellis and is accompanied by his original raised seal LOA. This jersey is the only example of a Rawlings durene that I've ever seen without a severely shrunken crest from repeated washings. '73 also marks the first year the white jerseys were worn at home. A beautiful jersey in every regard. Penguin perfection in my book.
No numbering was ever added to the jersey. This jersey is as the team would have received them direct from the manufacturer. This particular jersey can be denoted as a 2nd set as the Rawlings tag is positioned on the inside hem vs. the inside collar. Double thick reinforced elbows, but no fight strap as those were added by the equipment guy/customizers back then. This jersey shows its age only in it's milky "antique white" coloring and is likely the most pristinely preserved Pens durene out there. For that reason alone it holds a special place in my collection, and is one I won't likely ever part with.
I always like to accessorize my jerseys with other period items for a more impressive display. I think vintage knit touques like these fit right in and look great alongside a durene jersey. This one still carries its original hang tags. A timeless design that inspired the entire "Winter Classic" aesthetic. This would be the perfect hat to sport with that jersey back in the day.
1975-76 HOME WHITE Screened Mesh Chevron Sleeves Medalist/Sand Knit Prototype
This one of a kind jersey was produced at the request of Penguins equipment man John Doolan, who was experimenting with the idea of a lightweight screened on mesh jersey, as he was aware that the Colorado Rockies were wearing a similar style. The Pens had fading issues with their 74-5 set of Rawlings durene jerseys so John, at the suggestion of the Steelers equipment man, contacted Medalist/Sand Knit to create the example seen here. The black hem and sleeve stripes, along with the front crest and two color numbers are all silkscreened directly onto the mesh jersey. It's got very vibrant coloring, and never having been worn or laundered, displays incredibly well. This is a great example of what could have been, and a great alternative version of the white whale that is a white chevrons Pens jersey.
1977-78 Stan Gilbertson ROAD BLUE Stall & Dean Mesh
This mint and unworn jersey was prepared for Stan Gilberston who was tragically injured in an automobile accident on the way back to Pittsburgh from training camp in Belle Vernon. He was riding in an open Jeep and his leg was badly injured when it ran off of the road. He lost his leg as a result of the accident, and obviously his professional career as a hockey player. I am honored to display this jersey as part of the Steel City Gamers Collection.
1986-87 Mario Lemieux ROAD BLACK Cooper Mesh REPLICA
While this jersey isn't a pro weight authentic, it still holds a place in my collection as a very convincing looking replica from a bygone era. It has proper heat pressed name and number, as well as the alternate captain's A on the front chest. This is a great jersey to wear to games without fear of damaging a true gamer or game issue. Although not incredibly valuable, it is incredibly rare. Just a good looking shirt that I couldn't pass up. Thanks go to Wayne for sending this one my way via ebay.
No nameplate on this one, as the name and numbers are heat pressed directly to the jersey. The Cooper namemark is heat pressed to the rear hem. While this jersey is just a "replica" and isn't even a pro weight, it has such eye appeal and vintage flavor that when I wore it to a Kings game in LA I got countless compliments on my way to, from, and while at the game. Even West Coast hockey fans have to respect what this jersey represents. Great one to wear to work on a casual Friday.
Early 1990s CCM Ultrafil PLAYER WORN Practice Jersey
Made of Pittsburgh gold Ultrafil, this CCM practice jersey features double thick reinforced elbows and shoulders just like a game jersey. Has the Velcro snap type fight strap as well. Shows some minor practice wear in the form of scattered stick and puck marks, with some nice pilling on the ends of the sleeves and cuffs. Sized 52 with a Maska collar tag and embroidered CCM stencil type hem logo which is the same type used on game jerseys of this era. A screened on "gold toe" type crest adorns the front. Obtained via a trade with local collector Wayne Jones.
No name or number on the back of this one as it was intended for any member of a given line or grouping to wear in practice or scrimmage situations. No telling what Penguins legends may have had this one on, but it's a great color and rare example that has been well preserved for 20+ years now. You don't see these very often and when you do they're typically black, sometimes red, or even early '90s teal. Not terribly valuable, but a fitting example that has a place all it's own in an exclusively Penguins themed collection like mine.
1990-91 Bryan Trottier HOME WHITE CCM Ultrafil Game Issued
The legendary Bryan Trottier was to wear this jersey, but it never made his back, thus it exists in mint and unworn Game Issued condition. Obtained from Leland's via an online auction, it shows Leland's game issue markings on the inside of the CCM hem logo.
1992-93 Ron Francis ROAD BLACK CCM Ultrafil Pittsburgh Diagonal Game Issued
Also a Latin/Leland's score this Ron Francis game issue is a size 52 and is in mint unworn condition. This has all the attributes of a gamer except the wear. A backup shirt intended for Ron but it never saw any use.
The lettering on the jersey has a notably hand-cut and slightly imperfect quality about it. Not something you can easily fake at home. Latin's handwritten 10 remains on the unwashed collar tag.
2007 Sidney Crosby EASTERN WHITE Rbk Edge 1.0 All Star Pro Issued
This jersey comes straight from the game staff. Complete with pro only NHL tagging, this jersey features the sewn on/embroidered Penguins shoulder patch as well as the 2007 Dallas All Star patch. Exactly what Sid wore on the ice in this first All Star appearance. Also the very first of the Edge designed jerseys, worn a full season before they were adopted universally. Made of 4 way stretch pique with Lycratalic collar, stretch mesh underarm panels for ventilation and increased range of motion, and X-trafil shoulders and elbows to provide increased durability. All of this is part of RBK's "Play Dry" moisture management system and has been treated with "Bead Away" coating to minimize absorption of sweat and moisture.
Jersey has the proper matching X-trafil nameplate material and NHLPA logo on the rear hem. Original paper hang tags intact with born on date of January 16th, 2007, just prior to the game. A killer Sid All Star that will age like fine wine.
2008 Gary Roberts WINTER CLASSIC Rbk Edge AirKnit Game Issued
This jersey is an awesome souvenir from the 2008 Winter Classic. A trip I will never forget, and likely one Gary won't either as he broke his leg in the game prior to the Classic and wasn't able to take advantage of his one and only opportunity to play in a outdoor NHL game. The jersey shows obvious evidence that it was originally prepped with an Alternate Captain's A which has been hastily removed.
Joe Tomon's LOA and MeiGray tagging in the hem. One of 4 jerseys that would have originally been prepped for Roberts to play that New Year's Day in Buffalo.
2008 Evgeni Malkin EASTERN RED Rbk Edge AirKnit All Star Pro Issued
This one also came from an insider working the game. Pro tagging, born on date of January 14th, 2008. Sewn/embriodered Penguins patch as well as the Atlanta All Star patch. This was ths style worn in Malkin's first all star appearance.
This jersey has the matching nameplate made of the proper Rbk AirKnit material. It also has the NHLPA logo embroidered on the rear hem. Only jerseys intended for the game have the NHLPA logo. Try to find another one like it.
2011-12 Philip Samuelsson ROAD WHITE Reebok AirKnit Game Issued
I picked this Game Issued Samuelsson after watching Philip play in the "Black & Gold" scrimmage game at the Consol Energy Center on 1-16-13. It got me thinking if he's anything at all like his dad Ulf, the kid will be a solid defenseman and fan favorite if he ever makes it onto the NHL roster. Dad wore 5 and son wears 55, fitting I think.
Kiss cut numbering is done locally now by ProKnitwear. The spelled out Reebok wordmark replaces the vector logo on this 11-12 jersey. The inside collar piping now carries the Reebok wordmark instead of the vector logo as well. A sharp looking jersey for sure.