Another special piece of North American sports memorabilia has sold for a record price at auction.
Per the Sports Business Journal, the jersey that NHL legend Wayne Gretzky wore in his final career game for the New York Rangers sold at auction for $715,120. Gretzky’s autograph is featured on the jersey.
This is the most expensive United States-based hockey jersey ever sold to date, via Dan Hajducky of ESPN. The previous record, which stood for 10 years, was the jersey Mike Eruzione wore for the U.S. in their “Miracle On Ice” game in the 1980 Winter Olympics. That jersey fetched a price of $657,250, per Hajducky.
Gretzky’s final NHL game was played at the Rangers’ home of Madison Square Garden on Apr. 18, 1999 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. “The Great One” tallied an assist on Brian Leetch’s game-tying goal in the second period.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NHL stories via Google! Follow Us
Jaromir Jagr of the Penguins scored the game-winner in overtime, abruptly marking the end of Gretzky’s iconic career. After the game, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Gretzky that his No. 99 would be retired league-wide.
Widely regarded as the greatest hockey player to ever live, Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s decade. The 62-year-old is the NHL’s all-time leader in goals (894) and points (2,857).
Gretzky coached the Phoenix (now Arizona) Coyotes from 2005-06 to 2008-09. In Oct. 2016, the Oilers hired Gretzky to work alongside owner Daryl Katz. The Great One is a studio analyst at the NHL on TNT program.
