Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2025
Few names in sports history carry the weight and reverence of Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded
as the greatest hockey player of all-time. Known simply as “The Great One,” Gretzky’s
dominance on the ice rewrote the NHL record books, leaving behind a legacy that transcends
generations. In 1996, the great one made his way to the big apple, the place he would call his
home until he chose to hang up his skates for good.
A stand out piece, this Easton “Silver Tip” stick comes from the 1996-97 season and remains in
excellent overall condition. Exhibiting light wear consistent with game use, the shaft features
some scuffing, most notably along the lower half, where a crack is also present where the blade
is inserted into the shaft. The wooden blade shows puck marks indicative of game action. The
stick is adorned with a prominent “GRETZKY” graphic in the middle of the shaft, along with
“GRETZKY” printed on the shaft of the blade. A “Jack The Gripper” knob remains installed at
the butt end of the stick, a signature for Gretzky during this era of his career. Collectors have
been aggressively seeking out these Rangers-era Silvertip models as they have become
increasingly difficult to obtain.
Gretzky has signed the toe of the bare blade in bold blue marker. The signature remains crisp
and well-preserved. Additionally, “4-10-97” is inscribed on the backside of the blade, dating the
stick to April 4, 1997. On this date, the Rangers defeated the Flyers 6-3, with Wayne recording
two assists—possibly coming off the blade of this very stick. An LOA from Classic Auctions will accompany.
These sticks come from the personal collection of Lou Nolan, the legendary voice of the
Philadelphia Flyers. 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
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