Reader Submission - 2011-12 Washington Capitals Troy Brouwer Jersey

Our latest reader submitted jersey comes from Steve Beck, and it's truly a special jersey we are very pleased he chose to share with the rest of us.

Here is Steve's story about his wonderful jersey:

This jersey was worn on October 13, 2011, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Commemorative patches were worn in honor of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team of the KHL, who died in a plane crash on September 7, 2011.

I purchased this jersey off of NHL Auctions after the game. I am from Chicago and my family has had season tickets for around 25 years. I moved to Washington five years ago and the Capitals are my adopted team, I have season tickets and the only team I would root for against them is the Hawks.

I really wanted the Brouwer jersey as he was on the Hawks when they won the Stanley Cup in 2010. Each player signed their jersey in the locker room immediately after the game. Unlike the Winter Classic, in which a jersey is worn for each period, for these one jersey was worn the entire game. Since they signed it right after MeiGray did not wash them and it stunk like hell when I got it.

Thanks to Steve for taking the time to shoot the photos and send in his story about his jersey. Having traded for some Soviet and Russian jerseys during our time, we can certainly relate to the unmistakable funk of an unwashed game worn jersey.

This jersey certainly has got special meaning for Steve, especially with Brouwer's connection to his hometown Blackhawks and their recent Stanley Cup championship. We also admire the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl patch worn for just the one game. The Washington Capitals and Penguins wore the patched jerseys in an effort to raise funds for the families left behind by the disaster, an idea which began with Evgeni Malkin of Pittsburgh.

Russian stars Alexander Ovechkin and Malkin, who both personally knew many of those who died, took part in a ceremonial opening face-off conducted by Penguins owner Mario Lemieux.

"I think it's America showing respect, respecting the memories of the guys who were in the plane crash and for the Russians." Ovechkin said. "It means a lot. It's nice of both organizations and the NHL to do that."

If you have a jersey in your collection that you'd like to share with us and your fellow readers, please submit your pictures and a story to go with it, no matter how brief or detailed, to spyboy1@gmail.com and we look forward to seeing your favorites.