Jersey Club Salutes: Ed Belfour

When it comes to players who have played on multiple teams and have thus worn multiple jerseys throughout their career, it is tougher to find a better collection than Ed Belfour's.

Starting with his early days in Chicago, Belfour played for some huge franchises and created some great jersey memories along the way.

CHICAGO: The "We almost made it, but look at all my trophies" years.

If you had given me one of these (a signed 8x10 glossy, autographed) in 92 I would have pooed my dungarees.

Eddie loaded up on trophies in his rookie year, winning the Calder (best rookie), Vezina (best goalie), Jennings (least goals allowed) and being nominated for the Hart (MVP). His Pro Set 91-92 card really tells the whole story, though:

A classic suit and hairstyle for some classic accolades.

Side note: don't you love the old NHL symbol? There's something about orange and black that was so unique as opposed to the current silver and black. Also going from upper left to lower right will always be my preferred way to read acronyms.

SAN JOSE: The "I played for San Jose?" year.

After his Gretzky-esque season of winning three trophies, followed by a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 93 and a few more Jennings/Vezina wins in a few more following years, Eddie was shipped off to San Jose for half of a season. With some dismal stats playing on one of the worst teams in the league, many short sighted hockey fans figured Eddie the Eagle had gone "tits up". But jersey enthusiasts the world over were clamouring for a teal, black and white beauty sporting Belfour on the back and saying that The Eagle was still very much indeed "tits down".

DALLAS: The "I swear, it was Guy Carbonneau" years.

For any of you who are unaware of the story, it goes like this: Ed Belfour backstopped the The Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup in 1999. The Dallas Stars celebrated like you used to be able to after you won the cup. (as in, you partied hard with the cup without this asshole following you around everywhere) During this partying, it is alleged that Stars captain Guy Carbonneau attempted to throw the Stanley Cup into the hotel pool from a balcony. He missed and it hit the pool deck, badly denting sports' greatest trophy. This is the accepted story - however I submit the following: would stalwart leader and notable NHL captain Guy Carbonneau do this? Or does it sound more like the work of someone who would make this face while drunk and posing for a picture?

Trust me, if Eddie didn't try to deep six the cup, he did way worse things.

FUBU: The "For us, by us - Us being me, Ed Belfour and my scary cocaine addled friends that only live in my head" years

In addition to the billion clams, I offer you the entire internet and Teemu Selanne's first born son. Oh and a jet that talks.

Ed Belfour was physically subdued and arrested for a misdemeanor crime when a woman he was with in a Dallas hotel room said she became frightened and called police. He allegedly offered Dallas police officers one billion dollars for his scott-free release. It is notable by jersey scholars that at the time of his fight with cops/arrest/hilarious bribe attempt, that he was wearing a sweater sporting a popular gangsta-clothing line "Fubu" sweat shirt.  When talking about notable jerseys or, sweaters if you will, that Belfour has worn in his career, this has to rank right up there.

TORONTO: The "You all thought I was dead didn't you!?" years.

Rebounding from the embarrassing Fubu sweater incident, Eddie made his way to Toronto to help the Leafs put fourth some strong playoff efforts mostly against the Ottawa Senators and not really against anyone else. These days it's tough to find someone in a that-era (mid-early 2000's) Leafs jersey and not shudder in shame. Some names way too many Leaf fans still, for some reason, proudly sport: Tucker, Domi, McCabe, Francis, and Lindros. Luckily during this fairly forgettable Leaf era, some names stand above the rest as still very wearable: Roberts, Mogilny, Sundin and of course, Belfour.

FLORIDA: The "I should have retired in Toronto or at least asked to be traded to a better team" years.

While the Florida Panthers are and probably always will be a piece of garbage franchise that shouldn't exist at all, you have to admit Eddie looks good in that jersey. Nevermind the obvious clash of wearing a fierce cat on your jersey and a fierce bird on your helmet, if you are (for some unholy reason) a Panthers fan, I wouldn't mind sporting a #20. This is also the best Florida Panthers era for jerseys.

So there you have it, Ed "The Eagle" Belfour. A great jersey collection for a great career. Next up: I don't know, ask Stein or Glenn.

Screw off Pritchard!