Monday night against Arizona was the first of three Pens historical jersey display dates at PPG Paints Arena, courtesy of season ticket holders and Penguins' jersey historian, Joe Tomon. There were 18 original, game-worn jerseys dating from 1967-79, with Tomon on hand to answer any questions fans had.
While they may look like just jerseys, they tell a story - not just about the Pens or hockey, but to the individuals who have made the team a part of their life.
"Most of the shirts are just great memories from over the years," Tomon said. "When you start looking at the crest and the logos on the shirts, it tells a story. I was in high school when they started the franchise and I dated my wife through a lot of these, then we got married and life moved on. I'm really blessed that my wife is a fan too and she loves this stuff and understands my obsession with collecting."
The first collection of sweaters included everything from a Jim Rutherford blood-stained jersey to the sweater Hank Bassen wore when he became the first goaltender to start for Pittsburgh at home.
Two more displays will come to the arena to celebrate more Pens history. Tuesday, Jan. 24 will feature the Black and Gold Era (1980-2004) while Thursday, Feb. 16 will represent 2005 to the present.
"It's fantastic," Tomon said of being able to share the collection. "Some of the great stories we heard from some of the folks that were here who were season ticket holders back then or were dating somebody and going to the games for something to do at that particular time, has been fantastic. Some of the younger people are looking at them and saying how small they were and wondering how they fit in these things. It's amazing. It's been great, it really has been."
