Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2017
In 1972 founders of a company named Hockey Diversified Inc. envisioned that each puck shot into the net to produce an official goal scored in an NHL hockey game would develop a degree of intrinsic collector value for hockey fans everywhere. The founders took this idea to the NHL and procured the rights to all such NHL pucks during regular season and playoff games for a period of five years. Pucks shot into the net for a goal were collected by the referees, given to the time keepers to label and then shipped to Hockey Diversified to further label with scoring details. The pucks were then marketed to the public by Hockey Diversified Inc. Unfortunately this idea was ahead of its time and pucks sold poorly. The program lasted only two seasons, 1972-1973 and 1973-74. Hockey Diversified Inc. dissolved shortly thereafter. Classic Auctions is honored to have been chosen by an original founder of Hockey Diversified to sell, at upcoming auctions, residual, unsold pucks from that “NHL Registered Goal Puck” collection.
Each puck originally distributed by Hockey Diversified could be obtained by mail with the buyer’s choice of team and possibly player. A label was affixed to each puck listing the scorer, team and date, along with a code that divulged which team-goal said puck accounted for. This particular puck was used by Jean Ratelle to score the New York Rangers 186th goal of the season vs Minnesota at MSG, on Feb 3rd 1974. Assisted by fellow GAG liners Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield, it was Ratelle’s 20th goal of the season, and 287th of his 491 HOF career markers. Scored early in the third, the goal put the Rangers up by two, only to have a pair netted by the Stars to tie the game at 5-5. The puck itself remains in like-new condition, with just a bit of toning to the Rangers rubberized logo.
By clicking this button, you will IMMEDIATELY bid the amount selected.
By clicking this button, you will submit this amount as your MAXIMUM (absentee) bid. The auction software will place bids on your behalf up to this amount only as it is bid against competitively by other bidder(s).