Happy New Year

I would like to wish all my visitors a Happy New Year. Please have an enjoyable and safe weekend. Since I will be celebrating the festivities, Fitted Friday, Snapback Saturday, and Jersey Sunday will be postponed again. Happy New Year!

1972 Summit Series DVD

I've been looking everywhere for this DVD set. It features all 8 games of the greatest hockey series of all time; The 1972 Summit Series. This was the start of the Canada-Russia hockey rivalry which is still one of most revered competitions to this date. With almost 19 hours of classic historical hockey, I do not understand why anyone would give this up to a Cash Converters.


Team Canada wasn't the powerhouse millions expected them to be. Phil Esposito addresses the country to not lose hope.

Ryde or Die Vol. 1

A classic video with a timeless soundtrack. It's unfortunate Aesthetics Skateboards went kaput before the release of Ryde or Die Vol. 2.

Boxing Day Pickups

Boxing Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. That's an understatement - it is the busiest shopping day of the year. Here are a few items grabbed at some sales yesterday.


Kr3w tees I picked up at Boathouse using a gift card my brother gave me.


Colorado Avalanche jersey I plan on having Joe Sakic'd or Patrick Roy'd. I'll need the matching fitted or snapback as well.


Expedition One's Madness gift set includes a promotional DVD with a new Kenny Hoyle video part, 2011 calendar, and sticker sheet.

I did buy some caps at the Snapback Goods sale. However, they'll be seen in an upcoming Snapback Saturday or Jersey Sunday.

Post-Christmas Post

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I know I sure did. We had a very small celebration with just the brothers. My older brother Christian got me an awesome Nike Manny Pacquiao sweater and was given the Inception Briefcase Set from Tim.

Merry Christmas

Just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. This week's features for Fitted Friday, Snapback Saturday, and Jersey Sunday will not be posted because I'm taking the days off to celebrate. Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

Birthday x Raptors-Pistons Game

My brother Tim and I watched the Raptors take on the Pistons tonight. Unfortunately, Toronto was burned by one of their own former players. Great night nonetheless. Thanks to everyone for their birthday greetings.

Bobby Baun Autograph

The Pickering Markets had another autograph signing today with former Toronto Maple Leaf; Bobby Baun. The defenseman played 17 seasons in the NHL and won four Stanley Cups in the blue and white.


He is forever remembered for his performance in the sixth game of the 1964 Stanley Cup Finals where he broke his ankle in regulation time and scored the game winning goal in OT.

Philadelphia Flyers x Bobby Clarke [1970-81, 1982-84]

I watched a documentary about Wayne Gretzky, and in that video he mentions he was inspired by the playing style of Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers, the topic of Jersey Sunday. Upon reading and watching about the former centre, I instantly became a Bobby Clarke fan. I’ve never seen him play live and he retired before I was born - but I ended up getting two of his jerseys. I consider it as seeing the bookends of his storied career.


The first item up is an authentic Mitchell and Ness uniform which I purchased online during their big 50% off sale. Although it set me back a few dollars, it’s definitely worth the ownership and I plan on holding onto this for a very long time. Complete with the unique 2-layer twill and the “C” logo upon the chest, the look and feel of this sweater is undoubtedly unmatched.


In the mid-1970’s, the standard practice for attire was to have players’ names on the back of home white uniforms. When NBC began airing NHL games, nameplates were mandated in order to help broadcasters define who was who. The unprepared Flyers’ equipment manager stitched extra home nameplates on road jerseys. The decision slid considering they played less than five regular season road games on national TV. After a 26 year absence, the team revived this classic uniform as their alternate jersey. As of this season, they will be used for all home games at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.


To add a little more detail to this jersey, an authentic 1970’s fight strap was added. Still used to this day, fight straps are attached to a player’s pants to prevent the jersey from being pulled over someone’s face in a brawl.


The Philadelphia Flyers would capture one of their two Stanley Cup Championships in the orange road jerseys in 1975.
Fast fact: The 1974-75 Flyers was the last team to win the championship with a full Canadian-born roster.


This brings me to the other Bobby Clarke jersey which he wore between 1982 - 1984. It’s a really old jersey with ultrafil polyester material. I purchased this off the black market at a very good price shortly before the 2009 NHL Winter Classic.


The numbers would stay the same with the only differences being the “C” logo and nameplate. It did take a lengthy amount of time getting this right because the cresting company didn’t know what I wanted, but it was worth the wait to have the jersey look exactly as it did back in 1984.


This is the first hat to kick off my snapback addiction and my favourite one so far. It was thrown into the deal by the seller of the 1984 jersey. An old previously worn hat from the 1980’s for an extra $5 didn’t sound too compelling, but it did look sick and a little hand washing fixes anything.

I consider this piece to be one of a kind. There are plenty just like it online, but none with the retro NHL stamp on the side.


Drafted 17th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1969, Robert Earle Clarke was a born leader for the 2 year old expansion team. The Flin Flon, Manitoba native was passed by many teams early on due to their uncertainty of his diabetic condition. After consulting a specialist during the draft, Philadelphia picked him up in the second round. He would have a solid rookie and sophomore season and upon his third year, he would prove to be and outstanding scorer and playmaker.


In 1974, the Philadelphia Flyers captured their first Stanley Cup title in a six game series against the Boston Bruins. They were the first expansion team to win the coveted prize and would keep the title the following season after beating the Buffalo Sabres in 1975. Letting everyone know they were more than just a ruthless gang of Canadian thugs – but they were the greatest team in the world. Furthermore, in the 1979-80 season, they would play 35 consecutive games without a loss [25-0-10], a record which still stands to this day.


Bobby Clarke would continue his career in Philadelphia becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played, points, and assists. However, playing Flyer hockey would take its toll on his health and he retired from the game at the end of the 1983-84 season. Currently, he serves as the Philadelphia Flyers Senior Vice President.



Bobby Clarke stepped outside the national rink and into international competition. In 1972, the young centreman played for Team Canada against the Soviet National Team in what is considered the greatest hockey series of all time; The Summit Series. Canada would beat Russia 4-3-1 with Clarke registering 6 points [2 G, 4 A]. He would also captain the gold medal winning Team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup and the bronze medal winning club in the 1982 World Championship.


NHL Highlights and Achievements:
1144 games played, 1210 points [358 G, 852 A], 2x Stanley Cup Champion [1974, 1975], 9x NHL All-Star [1970 – 1978], 3x Hart Trophy [1973, 1975, 1976], Lester B. Pearson Award [1974], Hockey Hall of Fame inductee [1987], and #16 jersey retired by the Philadelphia Flyers.


Legends of Hockey: Bobby Clarke


Earlier this year, I sent some items to his office at the arena formerly named the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia hoping to have them autographed by Bobby Clarke himself. After a long and arduous wait, the package was returned in the late part of spring. He graciously signed an action figure base, a hockey puck, and a trading card. The photograph was bought because the one I originally sent in was lost in the delivery.

"I don't give a sh-t if nobody likes me, I could care less." - Bobby Clarke

Warner Ave. Crew

Jim Greco, Erik Ellington, Arto Saari, Geoff Rowley - it's so hard to believe this came out 11 years ago.

Virgil Tibbs

In The Heat of the Night [1967] starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier.

Let It Blog

A new blog header right on time for December heavily inspired by Let It Be; The Beatles final studio album released in 1970. Nine years ago on November 29, George Harrison passed away and December is the month John Lennon was killed [December 8, 1980]. So with that, I thought it was very appropriate to have The Beatles grace the top of my blog for the remainder of the year.

Diamond in the Rough

I don't really know what that title means, but I did find these Diamond Supply Co. t-shirts in the most unlikely place; Value Village. A little further back in the day, these went for $40 - $50 at the skate shops. I just so happened to buy these for $6.99. There were tons of Diamond shirts on the rack - as if Paul Rodriguez or Terry Kennedy donated their entire closet. If possible, I'll be back for the rest.





Drop In x Diamond Supply Co. with Joey Suriel

2010 Thrasher SOTY

Rock The Hammer

Do you not love it when you see something naturally expensive priced surprisingly low? This was at Adrift for only $10 and although I'm not their biggest fan - I'd be stupid not to buy it.


Jim Greco in Baker has a Deathwish.

Stranger Than Fiction x Bad Religion

I thought it was pretty cool to find this in the used section of the music store. Stranger Than Fiction [1994] is Bad Religion's first album to appear in the Billboard Top 200 and is their most successful album to date.

It's unfortunate MTV no longer does stuff like this anymore.

Pittsburgh Penguins x Mario Lemieux [1988-1992]

Welcome back to Jersey Sunday. This week, I’m showing the uniform of The Magnificent One; Pittsburgh Penguins Mario Lemieux.


I considered having the cresting done from this style, but I was talked into having it look exactly what he wore in his primal years.


I almost gave up on finding the cap to go with this jersey. Most caps I see are with the current or “Robo-Penguin” logo. Surprisingly, I came across this Mitchell and Ness fitted at a very fair price.



Born on 5 October 1965 in Montreal, QC, Mario Lemieux played junior hockey for the presitigious Laval Voisines of the QMJHL. In the 1983-84 season, he broke the league record for most points in a 70 game season with 282 [133 goals, 149 assists]. That fall, he would enter the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.


In 1984, it was definite the Pittsburgh Penguins were selecting the 1st overall pick and Mario Lemieux was the frontrunner. So during the contract negotiations, the young centreman and his agent were not satisfied with the offer. After his official selection, the Montreal native refused to shake hands with then-GM Eddie Jonhston and wear the jersey on stage. However, shortly after the draft, the organization and Lemieux came to a contract they would both agree on.


In his rookie season, he scored his first goal in his first game on his first shot at the Mellon Arena. He played in his first All-Star Game and won the MVP Award. He finished off the year with 100 points and recieved the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie.
In 1988, he won his first Art Ross Trophy scoring 168 points and another Hart Trophy . The season after, he won his second Art Ross Trophy when he scored 199 points.


In 1991, Mario Lemieux's ice time was limited due to a back injury. Taking part in only 26 games, he returned just in time for the post-season. Helping the Pittsburgh Penquins win their first Stanley Cup Championship. He recieved the Conn Smythe Trophy scoring 44 points [one point shy of his regular season total] in 23 games.


The 1992 season was another stellar year for the centreman. Playing in only 64 games due to injuries, his 131 points helped him scoop the Art Ross Trophy. The Penguins made another appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks and Mario Lemieux won his second Art Ross Trophy scoring 34 points in 15 games.


In the 1992-93 season, Mario Lemieux shocked the press when he announced he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells, midway through the season and missed two months of play. Upon his return, he was on a scoring rampage and helped the Penguins to a first place finish. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the second round by the New York Islanders. In a total of only 60 games played, he scored 160 points winning his fourth Art Ross Trophy. He was also awarded his second Hart Memorial Trophy.


Mario Lemieux would dominate the league for the next few years, but also see very little of it. Winning another Hart Trophy in 1996 and two more Art Ross Awards [1996, 1997]. But ongoing back problems forced him to leave the game. He retired in 1997 becoming the only player in history to average more than 2 PPG. That fall, he was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and his #66 was retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.


After his retirement, the Pittsburgh Penguins were in financial turmoil. There were two options for the team; move or fold. Their troubles were turned around when Mario Lemieux stepped in and purchased the team becoming majority owner and chairman. He vowed to keep them in Pittsburgh and not have the city without a hockey club.


In December 2000, Mario Lemieux came out of retirement and back onto the ice for the Pittsburgh Penguins becoming the first owner-player in the NHL. He scored one goal and 2 assists against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Mellon Arena. He also played in his 9th NHL All-Star Game that year and helped lead the Penquins to the Eastern Conference Finals where they were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils. He scored 76 points in 43 regular season games and 17 points in 18 playoff games.


He continued to play for four more seasons but as before, was plagued by injuries. He was able to last as long until the 2005-06 season and play alongside another first overall pick, Sidney Crosby. He officially retired early into the 2006 season due to a heart ailment. In 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup and Mario Lemieux won his third championship as owner.


Mario Lemieux's skills were not only limited to the NHL, but in international competition as well. Playing with Team Canada for twenty-one years, he was able to medal in all the games competed. Most notably, he won Gold in the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.


Career Highlights and Achievements:
Calder Award [1985], 3x Stanley Cup Champion ['91, '92, '09], 2x Conn Smythe Award ['91, '92], 3x Hart Trophy ['88, '93, '96], 6x Art Ross Trophy ['88, '89, '92, '93, '96, '97], 10x All-Star ['85, '86, '88-'90, '92, '96, '97, '01, '02], 3x All-Star Game MVP ['85, '88, '90], and Hockey Hall Of Fame inductee [1997].
Additionally, his #66 is retired by the Pittsburgh Penquins and Team Canada. In 1998, he was placed #4 on The Hockey News 100 Greatest Players of All Time.
In 1993, after being cured from Hodgkin's disease, he created The Mario Lemieux Foundation. A charity organization "dedicated to raising funds for cancer research as well as Austin's Playroom Project, an initiative that creates sibling playrooms in medical facilities."


Legends of Hockey: Mario Lemieux

"All I can say to the young players is, enjoy every moment of it. Just enjoy every moment of it. Your career goes by very quickly." - Mario Lemieux