GAMEWORNAUCTIONS.NET is pleased to bring this exciting collection of game worn enforcers and tough guys to the hobby exclusively thru our Fall 2017 Auction. These 14 NHL and minor league game worn jerseys have been held in a private collection since being purchased beginning nearly 20 years ago and have been out of hobby circulation ever since. Included in this group of legendary tough guys are some extremely difficult to find players and styles, some which are being offered at auction for the first time!

This road orange knit gamer by CCM was worn by Nick Fotiu during the 1987-88 NHL season. This Staten Island, NY native was a boxer who became the Police Athletic League Boxing Champion and was considered a good enough boxer to have actually turned pro. Nick instead turned to hockey and began his professional hockey career in the WHA with the New England Whalers in 1974-75. He spent two seasons in the WHA before getting the chance of a lifetime to join his beloved hometown New York Rangers in 1976-77. Nick would spend 8 seasons with the Rangers over the course of two different stints, becoming an instant fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. His 13-year NHL career also saw him play for the Hartford Whalers, the Calgary Flames, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Edmonton Oilers. Considered one of the best heavyweight fighters of his era, Fotiu racked up 1362 PIMS in 646 NHL games while taking on any and all comers.

Sewn into the collar of this gamer is the born on date “86-01”. The game wear on this 1st set size 54 sweater is solid and consists of stick and slash marks, board burns, un-repaired burn holes, washed out bloodstains, a stitch popped and repaired front collar, inner pilling and several additional team-sewn repairs. Shown above is a beautiful photo mach of Fotiu wearing this exact jersey during the 1987-88 season. The image shows Nick being led to the penalty box following a fight that saw his jersey torn from the rear collar down to the black piping. This area was subsequently repaired by the team and is a perfect match! As you’re probably aware, Fotiu gamers are extremely tough to find and have always been coveted by collectors. Nick played in a mere 23 games for the Flyers, making this an extremely tough example to put ones hands on. This offering represents only the 2nd Nick Fotiu gamer that we’ve ever had the pleasure to bring to Auction. A wonderful photo matched example that exhibits nice fight abuse of one of the NHL’s all-time great heavyweight enforcers, choice!