Derek Gustafson Game-Used Hockey Blocker Houston Aeros – COA

A graduate of the BCJHL’s Vernon Vipers, Derek Gustafson enrolled at St. Lawrence University in the fall of 1999 where in his freshman year, was named ECAC Rookie-of-the-Year, ECAC Second Team All Conference, MVP of the ECAC Tournament and MVP of the NCAA East Regional.

Undrafted, Gustafson played only one year at SLU, opting to sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild in the summer of 2000. Coming off a record year at SLU, the young netminder spent the better part of his first pro season with the IHL’s Cleveland Lumberjacks and ECHL’s Jackson Bandits while suiting up for four games with the Wild. Over the course of the next two seasons, Gustafson saw limited action with the Wild, spending most of his time with the team’s AHL affiliate in Houston, along with a brief stint with the ECHL’s Louisiana IceGators.

The Houston Aeros (now Iowa Wild) were a team in the AHL. They were an expansion team in the IHL in 1994. The team’s name is an homage to the Houston Aeros of the WHA in the 1970s, one of the teams Gordie Howe played for in the WHA. The Aeros were the second IHL team to be named after a WHA franchise. The Aeros would defeat the Orlando Solar Bears to win the 1999 Turner Cup, following an impressive 54-win season.

Presented is one of his game-used blocking pads with the Aeros. It is solid green red highlights (team colors). It features custom embroiderery on the surface in white with his name TB15 and the brand name Eagle. Shows very heavy wear throughout with rips, rub, stick marks and overall visible wear.

Authentication: 100% Authentic Team