1956-57 AHL Rochester Americans Inaugural Season

Game Worn Away Jersey # 8 Billy Harris/Glen Cressman

This amazing AHL Rochester Americans jersey was worn during the first year of the franchise in 1956-57. Both Billy Smith and Glen Cressman have been documented as having worn # 8 during this season. Billy Harris plays 43 games while Glen Cressman plays 13 games. Cressman would start the season with the Americans then signed with the Montreal Royals of the QHL on December 14, 1956. Billy Harris was assigned to the Rochester Americans by the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 3, 1956.

Program inserts from two separate games during the season provide conclusive proof that both of these players wore # 8 during this season. The images of the program inserts are provided in this listing. 

Billy Harris would go on to win three Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962,63 and 64. And Glen Cressman would play 4 games in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1956-57 season.

The AHL Rochester Americans were ironically affiliated with the two Canadian teams in the NHL. Montreal Canadiens  from July 2, 1956 - 1950 and the Toronto Maple Leafs from July 2, 1956 - 1969. 

This particular jersey is in fantastic original condition. It is comprised of a main body of creamy white wool, with a 5" Royal Blue Stripe around the chest and back. It is trimmed with a Royal blue hem and cuffs. The jersey is adorned with 8 X 2" Red stars above the blue stripe on the front and 10 X 2" Red stars above the the blue stripe on the back. The # 8 is a solid Red twill 10" , done in Stahl's Varsity Block font. 

The team name "Americans" is sewn across the Royal Blue chest stripe in 3" white plain block letters. The collar is red with two eye lets per side for the tie down collar. 

Game wear is evident in the form of team repairs done in darned wool. Front 3 X, Left Sleeve 3X, Right Sleeve 5X. There are blood stains on the back collar. Some tiny un-repaired holes are present. Some stick slash marks are present on the front. 

The difficulty in finding these sweaters is evident in the attached photos which show that the white American's sweaters from their first three seasons were handed down to the Rochester Institute of Technology team. The letters of the "Americans" logo were in most cases replaced with "R I T" across the front. When you come across one of these sweaters in all original condition, it is certainly a very rare and beautiful thing. Thank goodness this one survived in its original state as worn by Billy Harris and Glen Cressman of the 1956-57 Rochester Americans.