Sykora wore this jersey on April 2nd 2007-08 for fan appreciation night, or as it became in the late 2000’s: “Shirts Off Our Backs Night.” I attended the game and was bummed to not be called to the ice and receive a jersey, but fifteen years later one has found its way into my collection! Photo matched, and paired with a ticket stub from that game, as well as the on-ice pass.

Petr Sykora was drafted by the Devils in 1995 and enjoyed a long run as 20-30 goal scorer. He won a cup with the Devils, but was injured prior to winning and couldn’t participate in the on-ice celebration. In the summer of 2007 he signed with the Penguins as a free agent and rejuvenated his goal-scoring prowess, ringing up 28 goals, the most he’d scored in five years. One of Sykora’s highlights with the Pens was calling his game-winning triple overtime goal against the Red Wings in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Though the Penguins would eventually fall to the Wings in six games, they would get their revenge the following year, making Sykora a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.