Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2025
Emerging as a top prospect during the 1980-81 WHL season with Victoria, HOF goaltender Grant Fuhr posted a record of 48-9-1 with a 2.78 GAA and a .908 save percentage. The top team in the WHL in 1980-81, setting a league record with 60 wins, and earning 121 points - the second highest total in WHL history, the Cougars scored a league best 462 goals, while their defense also ranked first as they allowed a league-low 217 goals. Defeating the Spokane Flyers and Portland Winter Hawks during the playoffs, the Cougars slipped past the Calgary Wranglers in seven games to win the President's Cup and a berth in the Memorial Cup.
At the end of the 1980-81 WHL season the Cougars held an auction of the players jerseys for VIP season ticket holders. The original owner's father Bob O’Keefe - the GM of Thermoshell, at the time held 4 season tickets directly behind the penalty box in Memorial Arena. Attempting but unable to purchase the Barry Pederson jersey for his son, as it was his favourite player, O'Keefe did acquire the jersey of young star goaltender Grant Fuhr. Originally owned by Glen O'Keefe for over 40 years before parting with it, it is now available for our winning bidder.
Originally recycled from the New York Rangers and made for Blueshirts' Hardy Astrom, with the outline of his former name visible on the upper reverse, and the outline of the Rangers team crest also visible over the front, we are unsure if Astrom ever wore the jersey, as his time in Manhattan was short-lived, playing in just 4 games for the club in 1977-78. A photo of Fuhr during the era showing the youthful backstop from the shoulders up clearly shows a similar jersey with white threading along the collar. Featuring a Crosby label to the collar with "50" size swatch, the Cougars team crest is glued-on vinyl, with "31" sewn to the sleeves and verso in single twill. Regarding condition, there are marks over the front and sleeves, along with scuffs, marks, paint transfer and scratches to the team crest, with two small team repairs along edges of the crest. Material pulls are present, including large examples on the left sleeve and the reverse, with an additional team repair over the lower left front. There is also some minor spotting on the front right and reverse.
Worn by one of the greatest modern goaltenders before ever stepping into an NHL crease, this vintage treasure has the added lore of being recycled from one of the NHL's most storied franchises.
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