01-02 Brad Smyth Hartford Wolf Pack Jersey

January 14th, 2008 | Posted in American Hockey League, Hartford Wolf Pack |

It’s funny how things work out sometimes.

I’m not sure when it happened, exactly, but at some point I decided to focus my collection of getting at least one jersey from each style that the Hartford Wolf Pack have worn.One style that had eluded me was one of the alternate sets that they gave away as a “Shirt off the Back” promotion. It was the 2001-02 5th Anniversary jersey.

A few years ago, one surfaced on the market and if I’d had the money at the time, I would have bought it. A fellow from Australia had a Kevin Hilton jersey — not exactly my first choice of player as he only played one game for the Wolf Pack, and only warmed-up once in the alternate, but it was the first to come along on the open market.

Then, roughly a year ago, another collector offered up a Layne Ulmer 5th Anniversary alternate. The price tag was $535. Hmmmm… Ulmer was a regular for the Wolf Pack for a few seasons, so that part was attractive, but the price tag was just too much. I knew I’d kick myself later for letting it get away, like the Hilton, but I just couldn’t justify such a hefty price tag.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Another one popped up on the forum! This time it was Vicky Gould offering up what she called a “Wolf Pack 5th Anny Jersey” for a fair price. No mention of player name.

I was skeptical, at first, having seen some collectors call every jersey from that season a “5th Anniversary” jersey because of a little patch on the shoulder. I emailed her immediately to confirm that it was indeed the red jersey I’d been searching for.

Even better, it was a Brad Smyth jersey — a player which I now have 5 jerseys from.

Smyth is one of the bigger stars in team history (all-time scoring leader) and that specific season, he played in all but one game so even this infrequently used alternate shows some wear.

In a matter of 15 minutes we closed the deal. A sum of cash her way, an envelope full of stinky polyester headed my way. Mmmm…