Darcy Kuemper wore this beautiful Roadrunners Kachina alternate game worn jersey during his one game conditioning stint in Tucson on 2/22/2020.
This is one of two one game only jerseys in my collection and ironically both are Kachinas (OEL’s Doan Retirement Night Kachina is the other).
Darcy headed to Tucson after a lengthy absence that saw him fall out of the Vezina trophy race and miss his first ever NHL All-Star game after he was selected. For the Roadrunners, it was a one night only main event that showcased both their beautiful Kachina jerseys and the organization’s Vezina candidate goalie on AHL ice in a rehab assignment.
Kuemper did not disappoint, either.
The goaltender stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced, giving up no goals at even strength. The Roadrunners lost 4-1, however, after they gave up two empty net goals with the extra attacker on the ice.
Kuemper’s alternate game worn jersey photomatched to a puck mark on the stick blade of the Kachina. The mark shows faintly in pictures of the jersey, but is much more visible up close/in person.
Darcy’s jersey was worn in just a single game so it has very little wear. There are some loose threads throughout, as well as a small puck mark near the bottom of the crest on the stick blade of the Kachina.
That mark allowed for a couple of photomatches to images from the game.
Kuemps ultimately returned to the Arizona Coyotes after this game.
He played in four more contests before the NHL season was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Yotes went 1-3-0 in those games, but Kuemper was stellar. He stopped 121 of 131 shots for a .924 save percentage.
Suffice to say he picked up right where he left off.