[irbefan4life]

So yesterday's addition was an exciting one for the fact that it had the 100th anniversary patch, but where it had fun things like that, the lack of wear was a tad disappointing. I'm glad to say that today's addition is of a former starter in the NHL and the wear shows it!

Again, don't forget to give Bruce C. Goaltending Musuem a "LIKE" on Facebook and continue to show that support. We just passed 400 likes yesterday and I really want to get us up to 500!

And now, onto the show!

Born on June 18, 1980 in Turku, Finland, Antero Niittymaki was a sixth round selection of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Remaining in Finland with TPS Turku until the end of the 2001-02 season, Niittymaki eventually made his transition to the pro ranks in 2002-03 with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL. Though he posted fine numbers in his first year with them, he improved vastly the following season. Then, the magic happened. Antero was given the call on February 4, 2004 against Olaf Kolzig and the Washington Capitals. Niittymaki defended the net decisively and the Flyers won the game 5-1. Niittymaki went on to appear in three total games that season, recording three wins! When the lock-out came in 2004-05, Niittymaki took the Phantoms of the AHL straight to victory in the Calder Cup Final. The following season, Antero was the starter for the Flyers, appearing in 46 games for the squad but ultimately being benched for Robert Esche in the playoffs. By 2006-07, he was up to 52 games in one of the team's most difficult seasons, a one in which Niittymaki only managed nine wins! With the addition of Martin Biron the following year, he was down to 28 games, and then 32 the following year before being signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2009. There, he appeared in 49 games, recording 21 wins in the process. He was then signed by the San Jose Sharks in 2010-11, where he appeared in 24 games, eventually falling in the depth charts for the squad as his injuries mounted. In 2011-12, he appeared in only 13 games in the AHL and then a final 14 in Europe in 2012-13 before retiring due to recurring hip injury that had plagued him throughout his career.

In his career, Niittymaki appeared in 234 NHL games, recording a 95-86-0-31 redcord with five shutouts, three assists, a 2.95GAA, and a 0.902% save average. In four playoff games, he recorded a 1-0 record with a 2.19GAA and a 0.898% save average.

The piece you are looking at right now is a 2007-08 road set 2 sweater worn by Antero Niittymaki in game action a total of TEN times. In it, he recorded 7 wins (including his third career shutout) and 3 losses. Wear is nice with puck marks, post paint transfer, and a beautiful team repair on the front of the sweater. Additionally, of peculiar note is that Niittymaki had the NHL logo on the neck trimmed as the pointy crest was likely irritating to him. This removal was not due to natural wear and tear and very intentional.

Acquired From: Meigray Group with LOA

Dates of Game Use:
November 29, 2007 v Ottawa (26-29, 4-3W)
December 5, 2007 v Minnesota (28-29, 3-1W)
December 16, 2007 v New Jersey (34-37, 4-2L)
December 30, 2007 v Florida (38-38, 1-0W)
January 5, 2008 v Toronto (54-56, 3-2W)
January 8, 2008 v Atlanta (27-28, 4-1W)
January 10, 2008 v NY Rangers (39-41, 6-2W)
February 5, 2008 v Atlanta (23-25, 3-2W)
February 12, 2008 v NY Islanders (43-47, 4-3L)
February 16, 2008 v Montreal (19-20, 1-0L)

Photomatched: YES

[bluefrozencanuck]

Bruce as always a great read and some very good pieces for your museum. Hope I can view the collection in person the next time I'm in Edmonton.

[creasecollector]

Very nice gamer!