*TRADED*
Circa 1996 Byron Dafoe Pre-Season Worn Sweater. (Evidence indicates possible usage by two of the three other goalies: Mario Gosselin, Jamie Storr, or Grant Fuhr)
What you are looking at right now is a circa 1996 pre-season jersey worn by Byron Dafoe. Doesn't sound very exciting, right? Well, what if I told you that this numbering style of Kings jersey (grey on white without the black inner color) was antiquated for several years by the time Dafoe's pre-season turn came around? In fact, this numbers style on both the arms and back was already defunct for regular season use by 1991. The rear hem style came about in that same 1991 year, so it may have begun its life as a circa-1991 pre-season sweater. What if I also said that it has very clear evidence of not one, but at least two nameplate switches indicating wear by at least three different goalies. What if I pointed out that the heavily worn away crest and the rather salted fight strap are indicative of way more than a single pre-season of use? What if I told you that based on the years the jersey would have likely been re-used would have possibly covered the following goalies who wore #31 with Los Angeles: Mario Gosselin, Jamie Storr, and Grant Fuhr? It is very, very likely that two out of these three other goalies wore this sweater at some point (likely in pre-seasons, or perhaps late season acquisition or call-ups). Gosselin could have been in around the 1990-91 pre-season while he was in last year in the Kings' system, likely attending training camp and pre-season. Storr was a rookie with few games, and can be seen wearing this antiquated style in his very early rookie pics from the 1994-95 era prior to Fuhr's acquisition (though all are way too low res to identify key matching features). Then Fuhr was a late season acquisition and may have possibly worn it in his first game after being traded from Buffalo four days prior in 1994-95. I think the Gosselin and Storr would be the more likely ones, however, I could find very few photos and videos of Fuhr with the Kings beyond Getty and those are all in the correct style sweater.
Obviously I will be researching a lot further since I love nothing more than solving a great mystery.
Born in Sussex, England on February 25, 1971, Byron Dafoe was drafted 35th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1989, after an acceptable junior career with the Portland Winterhawks. He was given huge workloads in the WHL, and in various seasons led the league with most goals against and losses, yet despite that, he fought on instead of giving up, as a future franchise goaltender is expected to. Starting in the ECHL in 1991-92, Dafoe worked his way up to the AHL as a third stringer to it's starter by 1992-93. Then, the familiar story happened. On November 11, 1992, Jim Hrivnak was pulled from the net against the New York Rangers and in went Byron Dafoe for a period of one minute and twenty-five seconds. He faced no shots, and really no action as Hrivnak resumed his duties afterwards. Over the next two seasons, Dafoe only appeared in an additional nine games with Washington. That off-season, Dafoe was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played two seasons and shared starting minutes with Kelly Hrudey, Jamie Storr, and Stephane Fiset. In his first year in LA, he appeared in 47 games, and though he had a losing record, he showed that he could be a reliable goaltender. After an improved second season with LA, Dafoe was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he quickly became a franchise goalie for the time period, playing in five seasons for them, appearing in nearly 300 games for them in that time span, even leading them into the playoffs in three of those years going as far as the semi-finals in 1998-99. That season was statistically also one of his career best years as he recorded 10 shutouts, a 0.926% save average, a 1.99GAA, and 32 wins in 68 games played. In 2002, the Bruins allowed Dafoe to be claimed by the work in progress Atlanta Thrashers via free agency. In his first year with Atlanta in the 2002-03 season, Dafoe recorded a career worst 0.862% save average in 17 games played. The following season did not fare much better as he could only muster 4 wins in 18 games with the struggling team. He retired from play following the conclusion of that season.
In his 415 game NHL career, he recorded a 171-170-56 record with eight assists, 26 shutouts, a 2.69GAA, and a 0.904% save average. In 27 playoff games, he recorded a 10-16 record with three shutouts, a 2.31GAA, and a 0.903% save average.
Acquired from: Anthony Chighisola
Dates of Game Use:
TBD
Photomatched: Yes, to Byron Dafoe
Obviously I will be researching a lot further since I love nothing more than solving a great mystery.
Born in Sussex, England on February 25, 1971, Byron Dafoe was drafted 35th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1989, after an acceptable junior career with the Portland Winterhawks. He was given huge workloads in the WHL, and in various seasons led the league with most goals against and losses, yet despite that, he fought on instead of giving up, as a future franchise goaltender is expected to. Starting in the ECHL in 1991-92, Dafoe worked his way up to the AHL as a third stringer to it's starter by 1992-93. Then, the familiar story happened. On November 11, 1992, Jim Hrivnak was pulled from the net against the New York Rangers and in went Byron Dafoe for a period of one minute and twenty-five seconds. He faced no shots, and really no action as Hrivnak resumed his duties afterwards. Over the next two seasons, Dafoe only appeared in an additional nine games with Washington. That off-season, Dafoe was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played two seasons and shared starting minutes with Kelly Hrudey, Jamie Storr, and Stephane Fiset. In his first year in LA, he appeared in 47 games, and though he had a losing record, he showed that he could be a reliable goaltender. After an improved second season with LA, Dafoe was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he quickly became a franchise goalie for the time period, playing in five seasons for them, appearing in nearly 300 games for them in that time span, even leading them into the playoffs in three of those years going as far as the semi-finals in 1998-99. That season was statistically also one of his career best years as he recorded 10 shutouts, a 0.926% save average, a 1.99GAA, and 32 wins in 68 games played. In 2002, the Bruins allowed Dafoe to be claimed by the work in progress Atlanta Thrashers via free agency. In his first year with Atlanta in the 2002-03 season, Dafoe recorded a career worst 0.862% save average in 17 games played. The following season did not fare much better as he could only muster 4 wins in 18 games with the struggling team. He retired from play following the conclusion of that season.
In his 415 game NHL career, he recorded a 171-170-56 record with eight assists, 26 shutouts, a 2.69GAA, and a 0.904% save average. In 27 playoff games, he recorded a 10-16 record with three shutouts, a 2.31GAA, and a 0.903% save average.
Acquired from: Anthony Chighisola
Dates of Game Use:
TBD
Photomatched: Yes, to Byron Dafoe
