Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2024
Drafted 119th overall by the New York Rangers in 1980 and playing a total of 446 games over the course of his National Hockey League career, Reijo Ruotsalainen would don the uniforms of both the Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers over that time, winning Stanley Cup championships with Edmonton in 1987 and 1990. Also a three-time Swiss League champion with SC Bern and an Olympic silver medalist with Finland in 1988, offered here is this photo-matched Edmonton Oilers jersey worn by Ruotsalainen during the 1990 Stanley Cup Finals. Made by CCM, a partially torn/sewn over Maska Air-Knit label displaying a faded handwritten size "54" designation is affixed to the inner collar while both the CCM and NHL shield crests have been embroidered into the reverse hem. Decorated over the front with an Oilers team crest that is done in layered tackle twill, the all-important 1990 Stanley Cup Finals patch has been sewn over the right breast. Having been accented over the sleeves and verso with Ruotsalainen's number "26" in stacked tri-layer tackle twill numerals while "Ruotsalainen" is spelt out in single layer white twill letters across the affixed matching nameplate across the top of the back. With adhesive residue inside both sleeve cuffs and the hem, the garment exhibits game-wear via stick marks and board burns over both sleeves with more marks and burns over both the front and reverse as well while a red coloured board paint transfer mark is found over the lower front and a blue one is present over the reverse right hip. Still sporting its fight strap on the interior and very light pilling at the elbows on the interior, the piece hails from Ruotsalainen's personal collection and is accompanied by his signed LOA.
Regarding the aforementioned photo-match, the jersey is matched with Getty Image #1240748118 (May 24th, 1990 vs Boston - Stanley Cup Finals Game 5) to the white mark through the top of the Oilers crest on the front, the loose white thread extending into the "R" in Oilers from the bottom left and to the angled top portion of the "6" on the right sleeve.
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