This road blue heavy mesh gamer by Nike was worn by Don Jackson during the 1982-83 NHL season. Drafted simultaneously by the Minnesota North Stars and Calgary Cowboys in 1976, Don chose the path of the NHL. After spending 4 years at Notre Dame University, Jackson began his NHL career with the North Stars in 1977-78. He spent 4 years with Minnesota before joining the Edmonton Oilers in 1981-82. Jackson spent 5 years with the Oilers, as his team played in 3 Stanley Cup Finals during that span. Jackson walked away with 2 Stanely Cup rings for his efforts in 1984 and 1985, the Oilers first two Stanley Cups. Don ended his career after a final season with the Rangers in 1986-87.

Offered here is Jackson’s road sweater from 1982-83, a very important season in franchise history. The Oilers would make their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance that season, only to fall at the hands of the New York Islanders dynasty. The lessons learned would serve Gretzky and the boys well the following season, as they dethroned the Islanders and jump-started their own dynasty.

Sewn to the right shoulder of this jersey is the 1983 Universiade patch. The game wear on this size XL sweater is solid and consists of stick and slash marks, board burns, board paint transfer, un-repaired burn holes, washed out bloodstains, heavy inner pilling and more than a half dozen team-sewn repairs. Shown above is a photo match of Jackson wearing this exact jersey during the 1982-83 season. Also shown above are some great video highlights of Jackson wearing this exact jersey during the regular season, the 1983 playoffs against Calgary and during the 1983 Stanley Cup Finals against the Islanders.

This fine looking sweater features the ever-desirable 1983 Universiade patch and was worn as the Oilers trekked to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Also worthy of note is the Nike logo that is found on the back right hem. These Nike jerseys are the only ones in team history where the Nike logo is not found on the back left hem. Nike watched in dismay as ‘The Great One’ tucked the lower right side of his jersey into his pants during the entire 1982-83 campaign, thus covering their logo. Nike’s brass were quick to make the logo adjustment to the left side the following year and that was the way the Oilers would wear them for the next 7 seasons!