This road red dureen gamer by Rawlings was worn by Cowboy Bill Flett and Larry Romanchych during the 1976-77 NHL season. Flett began his pro career with the expansion 1967-68 LA Kings. He played in LA for 5 seasons before moving to the Philadelphia Flyers. During his 2 + seasons in Philly, Flett played alongside Bobby Clarke and produced a 43 goal season in 1972-73. The following year he helped the Flyers win their first ever Stanley Cup. An off season deal sent Flett to Toronto for a season. He next suited up for the Flames in 1975-76 and then for 24 games in 1976-77 before being dealt to the WHA’s Edmonton franchise for cash. Cowboy stayed with the Oilers through their expansion season of 1979-80 before retiring. Flett was an NHL All Star in 1971.

Romanchych began his career in 1970-71 with the Chicago Black Hawks. He then became an original member of the Atlanta Flames, where he played from 1972-73 thru 1976-77. Right about the time that the Flames dealt away Flett, they acquired John Gould from the Vancouver Canucks. Gould, who was coming off of back to back 30-goal seasons, had worn # 21 while in Vancouver and requested that same number upon his arrival in Atlanta. Romanchych who had wore # 21 for years in Atlanta, gave it to Gould and assumed the departed Cowboy Flett’s # 9. 

The 1976-77 NHL season was the last before player names were mandated on the backs of all jerseys. The Flames were one of the few remaining clubs who were not regularly wearing nameplates on their game jerseys in 1976-77. They did however wear nameplates for national televised games. These nameplates would normally go on and off as the season progressed. As luck would have it for hobbyists, a very few of these Flames jerseys managed to survive with their nameplates intact. This jersey is one of those rarities. To the best of our knowledge, this example is one of only several known Atlanta Flames dureens to still have it's TV nameplate. Best of all is that this nameplate is completely original to the shirt. There has never been a Flett nameplate on it, nor has the current nameplate ever been removed. 

Sewn to the collar of this heavy dureen is the Rawlings manufacturer’s tag. The original TV nameplate remains sewn high between the shoulders on back. The combination of Flett and Romanchych placed nice game wear on this sweater. There exist many stick marks, board burns, board paint transfer, fine inner pilling and 10 team-sewn repairs. This 3 decade old gamer is a true hobby rarity that is coveted by type style and Atlanta Flames collectors alike. A simply awesome opportunity to acquire this very rare example.