Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2025
Norris Division champions in 1988-89, the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat under the leadership of legendary star Steve Yzerman. A milestone campaign for the captain, Yzerman would enjoy his best career season in 1988-89, scoring 65 goals and 90 assists, with his 155 points - third in scoring behind just Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux - setting the franchise record for most points in a season. Earning the Lester B. Pearson Award as the most outstanding player during the regular season, Stevie Y would also score his 500th career point in 1988-89.
This historic signed and photo-matched stick was used by the perennial captain and superstar in the match that he scored his 500th career point in 1988-89, specifically on Jan 15, 1989 vs Philadelphia, and it originally hails from the personal collection of legendary Flyers announcer Lou Nolan. Recording 3 assists that night in the first period of the game (49th, 50th and 51st of the season), Yzerman's first assist of the game served as his 500th point. The superstar also added his 42nd goal of the season in the second period. His 3 assists were on Detroit's first 3 goals giving them the lead 3-0 in the 1st period, with Detroit winning the match 8-4 (please note that the stick is photo-matched to this particular game, but not to Yzerman actually scoring his 500th point).
A Louisville TPS "Tournament Players Series" model with “Yzerman” factory graphics, the original black tape remains over the blade and red cloth wrap over the shaved handle/knob, with no striping accent over the lower shaft. There is a date stamp on the lower underside of "Dec 21 1988", along with handwritten information for a November 1988 match that is incorrect (the stick was originally signed during the era of use and the autograph had faded, with our consignor Mr. Nolan getting the stick signed again when Yzerman was the GM for Tampa. The inscription on the underside of the stick was also written up but with erroneous information, as Nolan remembered it was an Yzerman important moment from the 1988-89 season, but wrote the wrong one. The more recent signature is in black marker and situated on the upper shaft).
Game-use includes wear to the taped blade including a few tears near the toe, with additional wear and fading to the red cloth tape on the handle. Marks and surface abrasions are present throughout the length of the shaft along with a few dents and scuffs, with the stick exhibiting moderate use overall. Getty Image #184818057 (Jan 15, 1989, 500th point game) has been matched to the long black mark below the "ISVI" of "LOUISVILLE", the three game marks above the tape job on the blade, and to the portion of missing tape at the tip of the blade. While photo-matching sticks is extremely hard and rarely achievable due to the sheer number used per player, to match a stick used by one of the NHL's all-time modern greats during a milestone-setting match easily ranks this specimen as one of the best pieces of Motor City lumber in the hobby. An LOA from Classic Auctions will accompany.
Lou Nolan has been a fixture with the Flyers since the team’s inception in 1967,
starting as a press box assistant before becoming the team’s public address announcer in
1972—a role he’s held ever since. For over five decades, he has been calling plays for Flyers
hockey, his voice guiding us through some of the franchise’s most iconic moments. This of
course includes their back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975. These sticks,
personally gifted to Nolan by some of the NHL’s biggest legends, reflect the relationships he’s
built over his storied career and the trust and admiration he’s earned within the NHL community.
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).