2019 Adidas Stadium Series Authentic
#87 Sidney Crosby with Captain's "C" and 2019 Stadium Series Patch
Manufacturer: Adidas
Size: 56
Purchased From: Facebook "NOT Game Worn Hockey Jersey Collectors" Group
Lettered by: Unknown
The Story: Coming off their victory in the 2017 Stadium Series against Philadelphia, the NHL viewed that game as a big success. It sold out and drew big TV ratings, so they wanted to do it again as quickly as they could, so the rematch was booked for the 2019 Stadium Series. They considered a neutral site game to be held at Penn State's Beaver Stadium, but they ultimately decided to hold Round 2 in Philadelphia on February 23, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the NFL's Eagles.
The game was a good one, especially if you're a Flyers fan. Sidney Crosby opened the scoring with a sweet forehand-to-backhand deke on Flyers goalie Brian Elliott at 7:59 of the first period. But a late-game defensive lapse sent the game to overtime, and another gave the Flyers a 4-3 overtime victory. The two teams met again in Pittsburgh on March 17, where history repeated itself. Philly tied the game in the waning seconds of the third before scoring again in overtime, with the game ending 2-1. Given the Pens propensity to retire jerseys based on bad luck, this style was mercifully retired after the 2018-19 season.
When these 2019 Stadium Series jerseys were unveiled, I was torn on them. At first, I thought the NHL's marketing department dropped the ball on the two-tone color scheme. Compared to the alternate jerseys used for the 2017 Stadium Series game, these seemed rather plain and dull. But then I noticed that they were designed as a nod to the Pittsburgh Steelers "Color Rush" uniform from 2016, which seemed appropriate for a game played in an NFL stadium. And the reference to the late Penguins coach "Badger" Bob Johnson, with his signature "A Great Day for Hockey" in the neckline, which has become part of the Penguins mantra, was a nice touch. These jerseys sold quickly, and game-worn versions were really expensive, with Crosby's selling for almost $10,000. They grew on me a little bit, but they were hard to find and carried quite a premium when I did find one.
In June of 2020, as availability was more infrequent, I finally found one that I liked and was available at a good price, so I pulled the trigger. It's what's known as a "retail authentic" jersey, so it's cut the same as an on-ice jersey, but isn't made to be as durable since most people aren't playing NHL games in it. But the cresting, lettering, and patchwork is all done to team specs, and though it was already over a year old, I was able to get a "brand new" one that still had its original tags attached. This is one of those jerseys that I'll look back on and remember as being a cool idea for a limited-use jersey. And while a lot of people are wearing Crosby jerseys to the arena, there aren't a ton of these floating around!
Size: 56
Purchased From: Facebook "NOT Game Worn Hockey Jersey Collectors" Group
Lettered by: Unknown
The Story: Coming off their victory in the 2017 Stadium Series against Philadelphia, the NHL viewed that game as a big success. It sold out and drew big TV ratings, so they wanted to do it again as quickly as they could, so the rematch was booked for the 2019 Stadium Series. They considered a neutral site game to be held at Penn State's Beaver Stadium, but they ultimately decided to hold Round 2 in Philadelphia on February 23, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the NFL's Eagles.
The game was a good one, especially if you're a Flyers fan. Sidney Crosby opened the scoring with a sweet forehand-to-backhand deke on Flyers goalie Brian Elliott at 7:59 of the first period. But a late-game defensive lapse sent the game to overtime, and another gave the Flyers a 4-3 overtime victory. The two teams met again in Pittsburgh on March 17, where history repeated itself. Philly tied the game in the waning seconds of the third before scoring again in overtime, with the game ending 2-1. Given the Pens propensity to retire jerseys based on bad luck, this style was mercifully retired after the 2018-19 season.
When these 2019 Stadium Series jerseys were unveiled, I was torn on them. At first, I thought the NHL's marketing department dropped the ball on the two-tone color scheme. Compared to the alternate jerseys used for the 2017 Stadium Series game, these seemed rather plain and dull. But then I noticed that they were designed as a nod to the Pittsburgh Steelers "Color Rush" uniform from 2016, which seemed appropriate for a game played in an NFL stadium. And the reference to the late Penguins coach "Badger" Bob Johnson, with his signature "A Great Day for Hockey" in the neckline, which has become part of the Penguins mantra, was a nice touch. These jerseys sold quickly, and game-worn versions were really expensive, with Crosby's selling for almost $10,000. They grew on me a little bit, but they were hard to find and carried quite a premium when I did find one.
In June of 2020, as availability was more infrequent, I finally found one that I liked and was available at a good price, so I pulled the trigger. It's what's known as a "retail authentic" jersey, so it's cut the same as an on-ice jersey, but isn't made to be as durable since most people aren't playing NHL games in it. But the cresting, lettering, and patchwork is all done to team specs, and though it was already over a year old, I was able to get a "brand new" one that still had its original tags attached. This is one of those jerseys that I'll look back on and remember as being a cool idea for a limited-use jersey. And while a lot of people are wearing Crosby jerseys to the arena, there aren't a ton of these floating around!