Swedish defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson wore this jersey in the second half of the 2018-2019 season, his first season as captain of the Arizona Coyotes.
Ekman-Larsson was named captain by head coach Rick Tocchet and GM John Chayka during the preseason of the 2018-2019 season. The move had been long expected, and in fact was a surprise it didn’t happen a season earlier after OEL received former captain and franchise legend Shane Doan’s endorsement.
His first season as captain was anything but ideal, however, as the Coyotes were racked by injuries that put them behind the eight ball early in the season. OEL led the team on an inspiring charge in the second half of the season to make the playoffs, however, finishing 4 points back of the final Wild Card spot in the West.
This jersey has quite a bit of wear compared to several of the other OEL game worn jerseys I’ve owned or encountered.
The left sleeve has a cluster of several repairs that have been sealed by white fabric tape on the inside of the sleeve. There is also some light blue and red paint marks in the area. The right sleeve has one repair, a stick mark in the seam, and a large puck mark at the hem of the sleeve.
The front of OEL’s jersey has several different stick and puck marks, most notably on the bottom left where one of the marks ends in an unrepaired hole. Next the captain’s “C” is a black mark (which is also a cut or hole) that is sealed by white fabric tape.
The back of the jersey has a few small marks and an excellent patch of repairs right above the “E” on Ekman-Larsson’s nameplate.
This gamer is one of the more excellent examples from Ekman-Larsson’s career in Arizona.
Having a second piece from Ekman-Larsson’s first season as captain be this well worn is a great counter to the lesser worn, but incredibly important Ekman-Larsson Doan Retirement Night kachina that’s also part of my collection.