Reader Submission - 1998-99 Thunder Bay Flyers Patrick Sharp Jersey

Our latest reader submitted jersey comes from Jordan MacNiven, and it's an eye catching jersey as well as a perfect example of a type of collecting some people specialize in, obtaining a player's game worn jersey from the period of time prior to his becoming an established NHLer.

Here is Jordan's story about his striking jersey:

As of right now this is the crown jewel in my collection. Not only is it extremely rare to find one of these jerseys it is also worth noting that this was Patrick Sharp's first junior team. After playing 2 seasons with the Thunder Bay Flyers of the United States Hockey League Sharp went to play 2 seasons with the University of Vermont in the NCAA. He was then drafted 95th overall in the 3rd round of the 2001 NHL Endtry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.

He didn't play until the 2003-04 season with the Flyers. He split the season between the NHL team and their AHL affiliate the Philadelphia Phantoms. Midway through the 2005–06 season, Sharp was traded by the Flyers, along with Éric Meloche, to the Chicago Blackhawks on December 5, 2005, for Matt Ellison and a 3rd-round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He finished the campaign with a combined 31 points between the two teams. Sharp emerged with the Blackhawks in 2007–08, recording career-highs of 36 goals, 26 assists and 62 points. He led the Blackhawks in power play goals (9), shorthanded goals (7), and game-winning goals (7). Near the half-way mark for the season, on January 17, 2008, the Blackhawks signed Sharp to a four-year contract extension through the 2011–12 season.

On June 9, 2010, Sharp won the Stanley Cup with Chicago over the Philadelphia Flyers, his former team. Sharp contributed 11 goals and 11 assists during Chicago's playoff run. On January 30, 2011, Sharp won the 2011 NHL All-Star Game MVP Award, getting one goal and two assists.

Thanks to Jordan for taking the time to shoot the photos and send in the biography about Sharp. It's pretty special to have such an early jersey of a Stanley Cup champion and All-Star Game MVP for certain.

The ability of some collectors to track down jerseys from obscure and often far flung teams, and then have the ability to get not just a jersey, but that of a future star player no less, often leaves us scratching our heads in amazement.

This Flyers jersey is a very striking jersey, with it's bold maple leaf design in lieu of any waist stripes. Combined with the wide and bright striping on the arms, these jerseys must have looked incredible on the ice in action.

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.