This home blue dureen gamer by Rawlings and the Cleveland Sporting Goods Company was worn by Jack Gordon circa the late 1950’s. Gordon made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers in 1948-49 and played with the club for three seasons before going full time into what turned out to be a Hall of Fame AHL career. Jack spent three seasons with the New Haven Ramblers in the late 40’s before playing the 1950-51 season with the Cincinnati Mohawks. Gordon joined the Cleveland Barons in 1951-52 and starred for the club over the next 10 years. Gordon also served as player coach for five of those seasons, coaching the club for a total of 8 years. During his playing days, the Barons dominated the AHL making four Calder Cup Finals and walking away with three Championships. Gordon was in his first season as Head Coach when the Barons captured the final of those three titles. Gordon would become the Barons GM before serving the New York Rangers in the same role. Jack went on to coach the Minnesota North Stars for three years in the early 1970’s. Gordon was among the AHL’s elite and scored a personal best 102 points in 70 games played in 1953-54. For his many accomplishments, Gordon was inducted to the AHL Hall of Fame with the class of 2012.
Sewn perfectly into the hem of this gamer are both of the manufacturer’s tags as well as the wash tagging. This all-sewn on specimen shows nice game use and remains nicely preserved with a few small runs and some team-sewn repair work worthy of mention. A tremendous example, worn by one of the AHL’s Hall of Fame greats, as Jack and the Cleveland Barons were dominating the AHL during the decade of the 1950’s, choice!