This home white mesh gamer by Stall and Dean was first worn by Peter Mahovlich during the 1978-79 NHL season and was next worn by Paul Marshall during the 1979-80 NHL season. Mahovlich enjoyed a 16-year NHL career which began with the Detroit Red Wings back in 1965-66. After 4 years in the Motor City, Peter moved on to join his Hall of Fame brother Frank with the Montreal Canadiens. Pete would represent Les Habitants for the next 9 seasons, winning 4 Stanley Cups in the process. Next it was onto Pittsburgh in a deal for Pierre Larouche. Mahovlich’s 2 seasons in the Steel City were very productive, as he averaged a point per game and was one of the teams’ offensive leaders. Pete made a final 2 year stop in Detroit before retiring. Mahovlich was a 2-time NHL All Star and scored 288 goals and 773 points in a career that spanned 884 regular season games. Paul Marshall put in 4-years of NHL service, representing first the Penguins then the Leafs and Whalers.

This vintage blue and white gamer is chock full of Pittsburgh Penguins history. First donned by Peter Mahovlich in 1978-79, Pete would play a full season wearing this very sweater. Worthy of mention is that Pete began his Penguins career in 1977-78 as #26 and switched to #20 for the 1978-79 NHL season. This gamer shows evidence of having first been a #26, having later had the 6 changed to a 0. Mahovlich would leave the Pens after the 1978-79 season. In 1979-80 many of these 78-79 gamers were again used by the Pens who were noted recyclers. The team would wear these blue and white sweaters thru January when the switch to the black and gold colored jerseys took place. In 1979-80, Paul Marshall assumed the player #20 and Pete’s shirt was stripped of its Mahovlich plate and prepared for use by Marshall.

As would be expected the game use on this sweater is solid. The desirable tackle twill crest shows the rigors of heavy use as evidenced by the trainers extensive needle and thread work. In addition there are stick marks, board burns, fine inner pilling and a handful of other team-sewn repairs. Sewn in the collar are the Stall and Dean, wash, size and year tags. These 30-year old Penguins blue and whites are so very desirable among hobbyists. Having been worn by the Penguins for only a couple of complete seasons in the late 1970’s, there remains little doubt why this style is in such high demand by collectors. Here’s a fine opportunity to acquire an example worn by an NHL All Star and one of the Penguins front line players from the era.