Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction Spring 2025
The American Hockey League's all-time shutout leader, Johnny Bower achieved the feat while playing for the Cleveland Barons for parts of eight seasons before making his NHL debut for the New York Rangers in 1953, where he battled - and beat - Gump Worsley for the starting goaltenders position. After a full season backstopping the Manhattanites net in 1953-54, the Gumper won back his position, with Bower playing just 7 more games for the Blueshirts over the next two seasons. This Standard Assignment Agreement document sent The China Wall from the Rangers back to the AHL's Barons. Dated August 19, 1957, the agreement called for the outright sale of Bower from the Rangers to Cleveland for the sum of $7,500.00 (approx $83,700.00 in 2025 dollars), plus "other valuable considerations". Rangers GM Muzz Patrick has signed the document, along with Baron's GM and HOFer James C. Hendy - a writer, historian, and statistician best known for his hockey guides. There is a small area of rust to the document along the top from the removal of a longtime paperclip, with just general handling wear otherwise.
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