2016-17 Reebok Edge 2.0 Road Authentic
#4 Justin Schultz with 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, Penguins 50th Anniversary, and NHL 100th Anniversary Patches
Manufacturer: Reebok
Size: 56
Purchased From: Jersey Baron via eBay
Lettered by: House o' Hockey
The Story: Long, long ago - back in 1992 - after the Penguins won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, collecting Penguins jerseys became a lot more difficult. At the time, I had no idea how difficult it would actually be. After that year, the Pens unveiled a new logo, which meant new jerseys. Being new to the hobby, I didn't realize that finding an old-style jersey would be so hard. I was able to get my hands on one of my "holy grails" from that period, a Ron Francis 1992 Cup Finals jersey, but I still haven't, to this day, been able to secure the road version of that jersey - the one they wore when they won their first two Stanley Cups.
2016-17 brought a lot of similarities to 1991-92. The Pens won their fifth Stanley Cup (and their second consecutive). More pertinent to collecting jerseys, the NHL was moving away from Reebok-branded jerseys made by CCM in Canada in favor of a new design by Adidas. Remembering how difficult it's been to find that elusive 1992 road jersey, I knew that Reebok Edge 2.0 on-ice jerseys in the road style that the Penguins wore on the ice in Nashville, when they hoisted the Cup, would become very hard to find very quickly. So I decided to move quickly.
I found one from the esteemed eBay seller, Jersey Baron, and snatched up one of the last ones he had. Just days later, I saw all sorts of postings on social media from people who were looking for this jersey and couldn't find one. But I had mine! From there, I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted the "three-patch" design, a popular style from 1992 as well, that featured the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, the Penguins 50-year, and NHL 100-year patches. In keeping with my own collecting habits, I also wanted a player that every other jersey collector didn't have, but that was an integral part of the Pens' Cup win. I visited my friends at the House o' Hockey in Murrysville and dropped the jersey off, along with some others in need of some patchwork, and I waited patiently - or at least as patiently as I could! As usual, HoH's work certainly didn't disappoint. Their attention to detail on the customization, right down to the off-centered sleeve numbers to accommodate the NHL 100 patch, made me a very happy customer for the umpteenth time. And I got a "holy grail" that looks so much like my first "holy grail!"
Big goals, stellar defensive plays, and timely passes were a trademark of Justin Schultz in the 2016 and 2017 Playoffs. He was a castoff from the Edmonton Oilers, who went out of their way to sign him as a free agent after he couldn't come to terms with Anaheim after the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. After four years in Edmonton, he needed a change of scenery and Edmonton just wanted rid of him. The Penguins gave up only a third-round draft pick for him, but when he landed in Pittsburgh, he hit his stride. The Penguins were considered to be a long shot to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions after losing Kris Letang to a neck injury, but Schultz stepped up admirably. He quarterbacked their power play through the 2017 Playoffs, netting four goals and scoring 13 points in 21 games. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. He was clutch. His game-winner in Game 4 against the Washington Capitals put the Pens up 3-1 in the series against the President's Trophy winners and odds-on favorite to win the Cup and his third period marker in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa helped propel the Pens to the Cup Finals. And with the Pens tied with Nashville going into Game 5 of the Finals, his goal a minute and a half into the game got the Pens off and running on their way to a 6-0 victory. In other words, he's the perfect guy to grace my collection!
Size: 56
Purchased From: Jersey Baron via eBay
Lettered by: House o' Hockey
The Story: Long, long ago - back in 1992 - after the Penguins won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, collecting Penguins jerseys became a lot more difficult. At the time, I had no idea how difficult it would actually be. After that year, the Pens unveiled a new logo, which meant new jerseys. Being new to the hobby, I didn't realize that finding an old-style jersey would be so hard. I was able to get my hands on one of my "holy grails" from that period, a Ron Francis 1992 Cup Finals jersey, but I still haven't, to this day, been able to secure the road version of that jersey - the one they wore when they won their first two Stanley Cups.
2016-17 brought a lot of similarities to 1991-92. The Pens won their fifth Stanley Cup (and their second consecutive). More pertinent to collecting jerseys, the NHL was moving away from Reebok-branded jerseys made by CCM in Canada in favor of a new design by Adidas. Remembering how difficult it's been to find that elusive 1992 road jersey, I knew that Reebok Edge 2.0 on-ice jerseys in the road style that the Penguins wore on the ice in Nashville, when they hoisted the Cup, would become very hard to find very quickly. So I decided to move quickly.
I found one from the esteemed eBay seller, Jersey Baron, and snatched up one of the last ones he had. Just days later, I saw all sorts of postings on social media from people who were looking for this jersey and couldn't find one. But I had mine! From there, I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted the "three-patch" design, a popular style from 1992 as well, that featured the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, the Penguins 50-year, and NHL 100-year patches. In keeping with my own collecting habits, I also wanted a player that every other jersey collector didn't have, but that was an integral part of the Pens' Cup win. I visited my friends at the House o' Hockey in Murrysville and dropped the jersey off, along with some others in need of some patchwork, and I waited patiently - or at least as patiently as I could! As usual, HoH's work certainly didn't disappoint. Their attention to detail on the customization, right down to the off-centered sleeve numbers to accommodate the NHL 100 patch, made me a very happy customer for the umpteenth time. And I got a "holy grail" that looks so much like my first "holy grail!"
Big goals, stellar defensive plays, and timely passes were a trademark of Justin Schultz in the 2016 and 2017 Playoffs. He was a castoff from the Edmonton Oilers, who went out of their way to sign him as a free agent after he couldn't come to terms with Anaheim after the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. After four years in Edmonton, he needed a change of scenery and Edmonton just wanted rid of him. The Penguins gave up only a third-round draft pick for him, but when he landed in Pittsburgh, he hit his stride. The Penguins were considered to be a long shot to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions after losing Kris Letang to a neck injury, but Schultz stepped up admirably. He quarterbacked their power play through the 2017 Playoffs, netting four goals and scoring 13 points in 21 games. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. He was clutch. His game-winner in Game 4 against the Washington Capitals put the Pens up 3-1 in the series against the President's Trophy winners and odds-on favorite to win the Cup and his third period marker in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa helped propel the Pens to the Cup Finals. And with the Pens tied with Nashville going into Game 5 of the Finals, his goal a minute and a half into the game got the Pens off and running on their way to a 6-0 victory. In other words, he's the perfect guy to grace my collection!