This road black air-knit gamer by Starter was worn by Ron Francis during the 1997-98 NHL season. The Hartford Whalers made Francis the 4th overall selection in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He began what would be a 23-year NHL career in 1981-82 with the Whalers, with whom he would play for the first 10 years of his career. He would later spend parts of 8 seasons in the Steel City, representing the Pittsburgh Penguins, before returning to the franchise where he began, albeit in a new location, the Carolina Hurricanes. At the trade deadline in Ron’s last year in the league, he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he spent the last 24 games of his career, 12 each in the regular season and playoffs.

During his career, Ron assaulted the NHL’s record books and retired as the 4th all-time leading scorer in NHL history behind only Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Gordie Howe. He is 2nd on the all-time assists list trailing only the Great One in that category. His career totals are 549 goals and 1249 assists for 1798 points. Francis won 3-Stanley Cups, the first two coming with the Pittsburgh Penguins and his last coming with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ron played in 4 NHL All Star games and his hardware includes the Frank Selke Trophy for the leagues best defensive forward, 3 Lady Byng Trophies which is awarded to the player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability, the Alka Seltzer plus award and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.

It was a trade at the deadline in 1991 that sent Ron to the Penguins and proved the missing link that led to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles for the Steel City. His leadership qualities were never in doubt, having served as the Whalers Team Captain for 6 years prior to his trade to the Penguins. While in Pittsburgh, Francis would eventually inherit the Captain’s “C” from Mario Lemieux, quite an honor.

Offered here is Francis’ road Captain’s jersey from his final season in Pittsburgh. In 81 regular season contests in 1997-98, Francis lit the lamp 25 times and added 62 helpers for a total of 87 points. Proudly sewn to the left breast of this gamer is the Captain’s “C”. The game wear on this sweater consists of stick and slash marks, board burns, board paint transfer, pulls in typical Starter fashion and fine inner pilling. A terrific Hall of Fame quality offering complete with a letter of honor, choice!