WickedBruinsFan's Blog

When you're a hockey fan, hockey jerseys are the common apparel. My first jersey, back in 1997, was a black replica. When I went to my first Bruins' Wives Charity Carnival also in 1997, I got it autographed by my first favorite player Adam Oates and Rick Tocchet.

My second jersey had to be a Joe Thornton white replica, when he was drafted and broke into the NHL wearing #6. That got autographed at some point. Later I upgraded to an authentic Thornton white jersey, this time #19 with a captain's C on the front. I can't recall if that one got autographed or not. Sometimes it is hard to keep track.

The next player jersey I got was the old style vintage authentic jersey (back in 2004 mind you) of Nick Boynton. I wore it to practically every game after I finally got it since it took so long to arrive. I even won a laptop while wearing it for the second time so it had to be a little lucky. But I never ended up getting it autographed.

Then came the game-worn jersey addiction. I focused on Boynton jerseys for a bit. My first game-worn jersey was the 2003-2004 playoff home jersey, the seven game bummer of a series (up 3-1 only to lose 4-3) against Montreal. It proved to be too worn for me to wear so I purchased a pre-season worn jersey that I wouldn't worry too much about while wearing. I think the last game-worn Boynton jersey I purchased was an ugly third jersey and only because of the letter it had on it. That's when I started to focus on game-worn jerseys that had some kind of special meaning.

Then Andrew Alberts entered the picture during the lockout season in Providence. I never got any other types of jerseys of Alberts other than game-worn and I was very picky about which ones I got (the Katrina charity auction autographed on the fight strap, his first NHL goal and then the third jersey vintage style).

I haven't made a player jersey purchase in quite some time. After the way my favorites turned out (Thornton - traded, Boynton - traded, Alberts - traded), I didn't exactly want to jinx any other players, especially a player that was a favorite. Come to think of it, I'm pretty certain there is a Oates replica practice jersey hanging in a closet between some other teams' jerseys, so add that to the jinx record.

I vowed I wouldn't buy another player jersey... at least until 2010. But I couldn't stop somebody from buying a player jersey for me for Christmas, now could I?

I received the gift after the last home game in 2008. I promised to wear it on January 1st when the Bruins hosted the Penguins, but after being welcomed to the New Year with an awful head cold, I didn't want to debut the jersey and cover it with germs. On the 3rd, I was late to the game because I was still sick. Then this past Tuesday I had to work before the game and I wanted to bring the least amount of stuff I could. Needless to say after a week's delay, the jersey will make its debut tonight.

I will post who the player's name is on the back on Friday... Unless he gets hurt. (Wouldn't that be the ultimate kicker in jinxes?) I will then deny I have a new player jersey. Although, I figured since I didn't buy the jersey myself, the curse should be broken. Right? All of the other jerseys I bought with my own tainted money.

Now I want you to tell me the story about your first Bruins (or other favorite team) jersey. Then what you prefer, blank or player jerseys? Do you only own one jersey? What are your fondest memories that involve your jersey(s)?