1990-91 CCM Road Replica
Manufacturer: CCM
Size: L
Purchased From: Christmas Gift
Lettered by: N/A
The Story: As a kid, I watched hockey when I could. Unfortunately, that wasn't very often. Only a few games were televised when I was a kid, and no one I knew really watched much hockey. That all changed once I got to college. There were not only a lot of guys who watched hockey, many of them played. There was a local ice arena where a lot of my friends played. Not having had much skating experience, I was usually the guy who donned the pads to try and stop balls in my friends' driveways. I had some interest, but I was not a rabid fan by any means. That all changed one fall evening in 1990. A bunch of college buddies got together we were able to get group rate tickets for the Pens versus the Montreal Canadiens at the Civic Arena. The Pens lost the game, but it didn't matter. I was hooked. I didn't know much about what I was watching, but thanks to some very patient friends, a couple of whom I'm still close with to this day, some 25 years later, I learned the game pretty quickly. I'd head to the ice arena at all hours of the night to film their games, and sometimes I'd even try to provide commentary.
So for Christmas in 1990, I wanted one thing: a Pens jersey. My parents were good about getting me the one thing I really wanted, so on December 25, 1990, I had my first hockey jersey. I knew nothing about getting jerseys lettered. I guess I figured they just came that way. But nonetheless, I wore this jersey. A lot. 25 years later, it's beat to you know where and back. It hasn't fit me in 15 years (does polyester shrink or have I grown larger?!?), but I've still always kept it. Can't ever give this one up. It's not like anyone would want it anyway, but this was the one that got me started down this long road of collecting jerseys. One day, maybe I'll fit into it again, but I'm not holding my breath!
Size: L
Purchased From: Christmas Gift
Lettered by: N/A
The Story: As a kid, I watched hockey when I could. Unfortunately, that wasn't very often. Only a few games were televised when I was a kid, and no one I knew really watched much hockey. That all changed once I got to college. There were not only a lot of guys who watched hockey, many of them played. There was a local ice arena where a lot of my friends played. Not having had much skating experience, I was usually the guy who donned the pads to try and stop balls in my friends' driveways. I had some interest, but I was not a rabid fan by any means. That all changed one fall evening in 1990. A bunch of college buddies got together we were able to get group rate tickets for the Pens versus the Montreal Canadiens at the Civic Arena. The Pens lost the game, but it didn't matter. I was hooked. I didn't know much about what I was watching, but thanks to some very patient friends, a couple of whom I'm still close with to this day, some 25 years later, I learned the game pretty quickly. I'd head to the ice arena at all hours of the night to film their games, and sometimes I'd even try to provide commentary.
So for Christmas in 1990, I wanted one thing: a Pens jersey. My parents were good about getting me the one thing I really wanted, so on December 25, 1990, I had my first hockey jersey. I knew nothing about getting jerseys lettered. I guess I figured they just came that way. But nonetheless, I wore this jersey. A lot. 25 years later, it's beat to you know where and back. It hasn't fit me in 15 years (does polyester shrink or have I grown larger?!?), but I've still always kept it. Can't ever give this one up. It's not like anyone would want it anyway, but this was the one that got me started down this long road of collecting jerseys. One day, maybe I'll fit into it again, but I'm not holding my breath!