Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction Spring 2025
A standout with the Detroit Compare Ambassadors who played for the United States Olympic Team at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Al Iafrate also enjoyed a short stint with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League and was selected 4th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Immediately joining the Maple Leafs for the 1984-85 season and going on to play a total of 472 games in the blue and white, offered here is this photo-matched Maple Leafs jersey worn by the four (4) time all-star during the 1987-88 season. Made by CCM and sporting a lone Maska Ultrafil label affixed to the inner collar that is largely washed out from age and numerous washings, the jersey measures out to roughly a size "54" for its effort from pit-to-pit and has had a red-red-blue CCM logo embroidered into the reverse hem. Retaining a customized fight strap on the interior that was added in place of the one originally attached by the factory, the front of the jersey is decorated with a Maple Leafs team crest that has had "Toronto Maple Leafs" embroidered into it while matching alternate logo crests have been added atop of both shoulders. Of note, the crests over the shoulders cover smaller ones of a similar style that are of the wrong design/shape and were more commonly found on the retail replica jerseys of the era. Styled over the sleeves and verso with Iafrate's number "33" in single layer satin twill numerals that are either white or blue in colour, "Iafrate" has been spelt out in matching style single layer blue letters across the affixed matching nameplate at the top of the reverse. Of note, the blue numbers and letters over the reverse have faded slightly. Displaying overall light-to-moderate game-wear, board burns are present over both sleeve along with some nearly completely washed out stick marks. Also showing some more washed out stick marks over both the front and reverse as well as some spot straining over the lower front, lower reverse and both sleeves, the interior shows pilling in both sleeves. Regarding the photo-match, the jersey is matched with Getty Image #1127445409 (October 3rd, 1987 vs Detroit - Pre-Season) shows a match to the placement of the nameplate over the upper reverse as well as to the letters spelling out "Iafrate", particularly to the upward angle of the top of the "E" and the heights and placement of the letters "R", "A", "T" and "E". Of note, while the image is from pre-season play we do believe that the jersey was used during the regular season as well. Getty Image's #1126928330 (November 21st, 1987 vs Los Angeles and #1126283599 (February 28th, 1988 vs Minnesota) appear to show similarities to some of the board burns seen over the left sleeve around the elbow and forearm but are not hi-res enough for us to call photo-matches.
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).