Mark Eaton spent five seasons manning the blue-line in a Nashville Predators uniform, and in 2003-2004 he wore this jersey in the team’s very first playoff games in franchise history.
Earning that playoff berth was one of the early milestones in the growth of Smashville, so having a piece that was worn on the ice in that first playoff tilt in franchise history is pretty cool.
Eaton himself was never a player who would have jerseys flying off the shelves, but he was serviceable enough to spend 13 seasons in the NHL. After leaving the Preds, he won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.
The Preds wore their White Set 3 jerseys in 8 games from March 11th, 2004, to April 4th, 2004 in the regular season. They also wore them in three games in their playoff series against Detroit.
Eaton wore this jersey in 4 of those 8 regular season games, and was on the ice in all 3 of the team’s playoff games at the Joe against the Wings. He scored 1 goal while wearing this sweater.
Mark’s jersey has pretty light wear. There are a scattering of puck and stick marks on the front of the jersey, as well as some staining on the crest. The back also has a few marks. There are no repairs on the jersey.
As time goes on and the Predators progress from a team that outsiders believe shouldn’t exist to a team that can draw quality free agents and sell out game after game, it’s easy to forget those moments that helped create one of the best fan bases in the NHL.
This gamer is a reminder of the uphill climb the Preds faced to be successful. It’s also a callback to all of the fun we had along the way.