2016-17 Reebok Edge 2.0 Home Authentic
#3 Olli Maatta with Penguins 50th Anniversary Patch
Manufacturer: Reebok
Size: 56
Purchased From: Jersey Baron via eBay
Lettered by: House o' Hockey
The Story: The Penguins hadn't worn an alternate jersey since they scrapped their dark blue jerseys during the 2011-12 season due to the bad luck they encountered when wearing them. They wore only their standard blacks and whites through the 2013-14 season and Penguins fans were buzzing when they announced that they'd have a new alternate jersey for 2014-15. Rumors and speculation were circulating everywhere with much of the speculation - and most of the hope - being that these new jerseys would be a nod back to the early-1990's, when the Pens won their first two Stanley Cups. The Pens marketing team got in on the act, promising a "return to Pittsburgh Gold" that got everyone even more excited. Finally, on September 19, 2014, the team unveiled their new third jersey to the media, complete with a modeling video featuring Sidney Crosby on their website, and within hours, Dick's Sporting Goods and PensGear stores around the area were flooded with fans who wanted to get these new jerseys.
Two versions of this jersey were made available at retail: the Premier replica and the model 7231 "retail authentic," known as the Indo-Edge (it's an Edge-branded jersey made at the Reebok apparel factory in Indonesia, whereas the on-ice jerseys, known as Edge 2.0 and carrying Reebok model number 7287, are made at the former CCM equipment factory in Canada). Neither jersey comes close in quality to the Edge 2.0, so the search began. It carried on for months until I was turned on to a Canadian outlet called Jersey Baron, who's as reputable as it gets relative to selling legitimate jerseys. They had some blank Edge 2.0's as well as some lettering options, but their lettering didn't seem quite right. After years of great experiences with them, I knew that House o' Hockey could get the authentic lettering kit I wanted, regardless of the player, so I bought the blank jersey from Jersey Baron and took it to House o' Hockey to get it lettered. About two years later, I decided to have the HoH add the Penguins 50-year anniversary patch to this beauty, making it just a little more unique.
I decided on Olli Maatta for this brand new jersey because he's a fantastic, up-and-coming defenseman who had been playing with poise and skill beyond his years. In an organization loaded with young talent on the blue line, he stands out above the rest. He has the potential to be a big star in the NHL one day, though a shoulder injury and a bout with cancer has limited his development this year. Yes. I said that. A bout with cancer. As a 20-year-old who's half a world away from his native Finland, he handled his shoulder surgeries, the operation to remove a malignant tumor from his neck, and even a case of the mumps in such a way that he didn't seem like a 20-year-old kid in a strange country who's having a really terrible year. All of Pittsburgh pulled for him to come back strong in 2015-16 and beyond, and that's exactly what he did!
Size: 56
Purchased From: Jersey Baron via eBay
Lettered by: House o' Hockey
The Story: The Penguins hadn't worn an alternate jersey since they scrapped their dark blue jerseys during the 2011-12 season due to the bad luck they encountered when wearing them. They wore only their standard blacks and whites through the 2013-14 season and Penguins fans were buzzing when they announced that they'd have a new alternate jersey for 2014-15. Rumors and speculation were circulating everywhere with much of the speculation - and most of the hope - being that these new jerseys would be a nod back to the early-1990's, when the Pens won their first two Stanley Cups. The Pens marketing team got in on the act, promising a "return to Pittsburgh Gold" that got everyone even more excited. Finally, on September 19, 2014, the team unveiled their new third jersey to the media, complete with a modeling video featuring Sidney Crosby on their website, and within hours, Dick's Sporting Goods and PensGear stores around the area were flooded with fans who wanted to get these new jerseys.
Two versions of this jersey were made available at retail: the Premier replica and the model 7231 "retail authentic," known as the Indo-Edge (it's an Edge-branded jersey made at the Reebok apparel factory in Indonesia, whereas the on-ice jerseys, known as Edge 2.0 and carrying Reebok model number 7287, are made at the former CCM equipment factory in Canada). Neither jersey comes close in quality to the Edge 2.0, so the search began. It carried on for months until I was turned on to a Canadian outlet called Jersey Baron, who's as reputable as it gets relative to selling legitimate jerseys. They had some blank Edge 2.0's as well as some lettering options, but their lettering didn't seem quite right. After years of great experiences with them, I knew that House o' Hockey could get the authentic lettering kit I wanted, regardless of the player, so I bought the blank jersey from Jersey Baron and took it to House o' Hockey to get it lettered. About two years later, I decided to have the HoH add the Penguins 50-year anniversary patch to this beauty, making it just a little more unique.
I decided on Olli Maatta for this brand new jersey because he's a fantastic, up-and-coming defenseman who had been playing with poise and skill beyond his years. In an organization loaded with young talent on the blue line, he stands out above the rest. He has the potential to be a big star in the NHL one day, though a shoulder injury and a bout with cancer has limited his development this year. Yes. I said that. A bout with cancer. As a 20-year-old who's half a world away from his native Finland, he handled his shoulder surgeries, the operation to remove a malignant tumor from his neck, and even a case of the mumps in such a way that he didn't seem like a 20-year-old kid in a strange country who's having a really terrible year. All of Pittsburgh pulled for him to come back strong in 2015-16 and beyond, and that's exactly what he did!