This home white knit gamer by CCM was worn by Ron Francis during the 1992-93 NHL season. Francis began what would be a 23-year NHL career in 1981 with the Hartford Whalers after being selected 4th overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. After 9 seasons in Hartford, Francis would spend parts of 8 seasons in the Steel City, representing the Pittsburgh Penguins before returning to the franchise where it all began, albeit in a new location, the Carolina Hurricanes.

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, 1249 assists for 1798 points. Francis won three Stanley Cups, the first two coming with the Pittsburgh Penguins and his last coming with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ron played in four NHL All Star Games and his hardware includes the Frank Selke Trophy for the NHL’s best defensive forward, three 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 and Francis would eventually inherit the Captain’s “C” from Mario Lemieux. The 1992-93 season saw Francis tally 100 points for only the second time in his career and one of only three times in his storied career.

Sewn to the right breast of this gamer is the NHL’s 100-year Stanley Cup anniversary patch. Removed from the left breast is the alternate Captain’s “A”, a letter of honor that was on/off throughout the season. The game wear on this size 52 sweater is simply tremendous and consists of numerous stick and slash marks, board burns, heavy board paint transfer, plenty of un-repaired burn holes, fine inner pilling and some amazing team-sewn repair work, with in excess of 20 different sew-jobs including some of the Frankenstein variety! Shown above is a beautiful photo match of Francis wearing this exact jersey during the 1992-93 season. This fantastic vintage example was donned during one of Ron’s three 100-point seasons, as the Mighty Pens were gearing up for a run at a third consecutive Stanley Cup. Sporting the Stanley Cup anniversary patch which was only worn on the Penguins home sweaters, a couple of beautiful photo matches and in excess of 20 team-sewn repairs helps to easily rank this treasured example as the most hammered Ron Francis jersey that we’ve ever had the pleasure of offering and certainly one of the hobby’s finest, choice!