1988-89 CCM Used Practice Jersey
#11 John Cullen
Manufacturer: CCM
Size: 54
Purchased From: Facebook Pittsburgh Penguins Game Worn/Used Collectors Group
Lettered by: The Pittsburgh Penguins
The Story: As I mentioned in the story behind my John Cullen 1990-91 Home Replica Jersey, Cullen was my first real favorite Penguins player. A John Cullen game-worn jersey would be one of those jerseys that I'd consider as "The One," and I've seen a couple of them for sale, but their prices are way out of my price range. But nonetheless, I always keep an eye out for one.
While keeping that eye out, I came across this one. It's not a Cullen gamer, but it is one of his very own practice jerseys, and on top of that, it's from his rookie season, a year in which he posted 49 points in 79 games plus another 9 points in 11 playoff games! I came across this jersey while perusing a Facebook group, and it had been posted for sale over a year ago. I sent a quick note to the owner to ask if he had sold it, and when he said it was still available, we negotiated a price and I jumped on it!
I did a little bit of checking, since very few 30-year-old jerseys will come with a letter of authenticity from the team! First, the "big block" CCM logo debuted in 1988-89, and during the period between 88-89 and the Pens unveiling of their new logo in 1992, only John Cullen and Jeff Daniels wore the number 11. Daniels, however, wore number 20 for most of his Penguins tenure, only switching to 11 when called up from Cleveland for the 1991-92 playoffs, and the amount of wear on this jersey is consistent with an awful lot of practice time. By the looks of it, Cullen practiced like he played - hard, gritty, and all-out! There are boards burns, an unrepaired hole, and too many stick and puck marks to count. Some popped stitching on the collar tells me he might have gotten into a scuffle in this jersey as well, and the hard-written "11" on the neck tag is consistent with the numbering used by the Penguins Equipment Manager, Steve Latin, at the time.
I might have overpaid by a couple of dollars, but having a jersey worn by one of my all-time favorites is worth it to me, and I'm proud to make this one part of my collection!
Size: 54
Purchased From: Facebook Pittsburgh Penguins Game Worn/Used Collectors Group
Lettered by: The Pittsburgh Penguins
The Story: As I mentioned in the story behind my John Cullen 1990-91 Home Replica Jersey, Cullen was my first real favorite Penguins player. A John Cullen game-worn jersey would be one of those jerseys that I'd consider as "The One," and I've seen a couple of them for sale, but their prices are way out of my price range. But nonetheless, I always keep an eye out for one.
While keeping that eye out, I came across this one. It's not a Cullen gamer, but it is one of his very own practice jerseys, and on top of that, it's from his rookie season, a year in which he posted 49 points in 79 games plus another 9 points in 11 playoff games! I came across this jersey while perusing a Facebook group, and it had been posted for sale over a year ago. I sent a quick note to the owner to ask if he had sold it, and when he said it was still available, we negotiated a price and I jumped on it!
I did a little bit of checking, since very few 30-year-old jerseys will come with a letter of authenticity from the team! First, the "big block" CCM logo debuted in 1988-89, and during the period between 88-89 and the Pens unveiling of their new logo in 1992, only John Cullen and Jeff Daniels wore the number 11. Daniels, however, wore number 20 for most of his Penguins tenure, only switching to 11 when called up from Cleveland for the 1991-92 playoffs, and the amount of wear on this jersey is consistent with an awful lot of practice time. By the looks of it, Cullen practiced like he played - hard, gritty, and all-out! There are boards burns, an unrepaired hole, and too many stick and puck marks to count. Some popped stitching on the collar tells me he might have gotten into a scuffle in this jersey as well, and the hard-written "11" on the neck tag is consistent with the numbering used by the Penguins Equipment Manager, Steve Latin, at the time.
I might have overpaid by a couple of dollars, but having a jersey worn by one of my all-time favorites is worth it to me, and I'm proud to make this one part of my collection!