2003-04 Brian Finley Game-Worn Pre-Season Jersey

Born on July 3, 1981 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, Brian Finley was an extremely highly touted prospect from the Barrie Colts of the OHL. A two time OHL all-star, and one time Canadian Hockey League all-star, Brian Finley was also a two time Canadian national athlete backing up for Canada at the World Junior Championships in 1999 and 2000. With all of this, Finley was drafted 6th overall in 1999 by Nashville. He was the first goaltender drafted that year. So with all of those accolades in juniors and his high draft position, the pressure was on. After closing out his OHL career in 2000-01, he was ready to make the transition to the pros, however, he missed the whole 2001-02 season with injury. A rocky start. He made his return in 2002-03 and spent the majority of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and also some of the season with Toledo in the ECHL. He put up very average numbers. Then, it happened. On January 1, 2003, after Tomas Vokoun let in four goals in only 13 minutes, Brian Finley was given the rest of the game to prove himself. Facing down the Colorado Avalanche, Finley stopped 10 of the 13 shots he faced in the remainder of the game in the team's 7-3 defeat. The next season, he was the starter for the Admirals and while relegated to the backup role when the playoffs rolled around, he did help lead them to the Calder Cup Championship. During the lock-out year he continued his rise in the AHL with career bests in most major goaltending categories. In 2005-06, he was given another shot with the Predators. He stopped 34 of 41 shots in yet another 7-3 defeat. For 2006-07, the Boston Bruins signed Finley as a free agent. He appeared in 10 games with Providence, but he did get into two additional NHL games, recording an 0-1-0 record in that time. Another major injury, similar to the one that killed his 2001-02 season eventually forced Finley into retirement at the conclusion of the season. Fun fact, Brian Finley is currently a police officer in Toronto.
 
In his short NHL career, Finley appeared in four games and recorded an 0-2-0 record with a 4.70GAA, and a 0.851% save average. He appeared in no playoff games.
 
The sweater you are looking at right now is a 2003-04 Nashville Predators sweater worn by Brian Finley in the pre-season. Compared to this, there is a fair bit of wear comprised of black puck/stick marks, post transfer, and even a blood droplet on the front. A great piece of a highly touted goaltender who just didn't quite make it long term in the NHL.
 
Acquired from: Meigray Group
 
Dates of Game Use: Pre-season only
 
Photomatched: No