This road green heavy mesh gamer by CCM and Steichens was worn by Kent Nilsson during the 1985-86 NHL season. Nilsson, a native of Sweden, began his North American career in 1977-78 with the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. After spending 2 seasons with them, he began his NHL career with the Atlanta Flames and made the move with the franchise to Calgary a year later.
Kent was the winner of the Lou Kaplan Trophy as WHA rookie of the year in 1978 and won the Paul Daneau Trophy as leagues most gentlemanly player in 1979. He also played in the NHL All Star game in his first two seasons with the Flames, 1980 and 1981. Despite playing only 2 seasons in the league, Kent was recognized in a poll as the 33rd greatest WHA player in league history. In 158 WHA games he netted 81 goals and 214 points. In 553 NHL games Kent scored 264 goals and 686 points.
His first season in Calgary saw Kent put together his most impressive professional season as he scored 49 goals and 131 points, which placed him 3rd in league scoring behind only Wayne Gretzky and Marcel Dionne. After winning a Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1987, Kent returned to Sweden where he continued his brilliance, winning the Swedish Player of the Year award in 1989. Nilsson represented Team Sweden during 3 different Canada Cups, 1981, 1984 and 1987.
The game wear on this sweater consists of stick marks, board burns, board paint transfer, blood staining, un-repaired burn holes, pilling and a handful of team-sewn repairs. It appears that the first nameplate to grace this gamer was likely a Holmgren, who wore #15 prior to Kent. Holmgren, who had off season shoulder surgery following 1984-85, would never make it back to Minnesota, instead choosing to retire. At that point Nilsson's plate was added with Kent being the only player to wear this shirt in 1985-86. Now over 2 decades old, this classic Minnesota North Stars green and gold is a throwback to times gone by.
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