Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2013
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2013
An amazing piece of hockey history, Wayne Gretzky's 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers game-worn captain's jersey was worn by the Great One for some of his highest highs and one of his greatest lows. After leading the Edmonton Oilers to their first two Stanley Cup titles in 1984 and 1985, Gretzky renewed his assault on the NHL record book during the 1985-86 regular season. The Great One scored 52 goals yet he still managed to break his single-season points record by three with 215. Gretz's astounding 163 assists are more points than any player other than himself or Mario Lemieux ever recorded in a season! The Oilers were on the verge of dynasty entering the playoffs and they swept Winnipeg in three straight in the opening round. After beating Calgary in 1983 and 1984 to win the first two editions of the Battle of Alberta, the Oilers got the shock of their lives when Edmonton defenceman Steve Smith's own goal gave the Flames the winning margin in Game 7 of the Smythe Division. Gretzky was wearing this jersey during that game, as demonstrated in our detailed video matches, which also make it clear that Wayne wore this white mesh Edmonton Oilers jersey by Nike for other Oilers home games throughout the playoffs and regular season. The captain's C on the left breast is quite close to the team crest, a distinctive positioning that shows in action photos of Wayne from throughout the 1985-86 season. The Nike logo is screened on the left rear tail though the size tag in the collar is no longer present. Oilers training staff wrote "85/86" in black marker inside the left rear hem.
This Gretzky jersey was purchased in 1995 from Alphonse Delorey, an Edmonton contractor who did refurbishing work on the Oilers' dressing room and also worked on the houses of many members of the Oilers during the 1980s and '90s. Delorey received the jersey directly from Wayne Gretzky in the Oilers dressing room at some point following the close of the 1985-86 season.
The jersey has been video-matched to Wayne in action during the 1986 playoffs during the Smythe Division final against Calgary. Recurring characteristics noted are that the Oilers crest is sewn-on turned slightly clockwise, the captain's C is positioned lower and closer to the crest than in other years, and the numbers sewn on the right sleeve have a much wider gap between the nines than the space between the numbers on the left sleeve. The distinctive movement upwards on the bottom line of the nameplate clearly shows in video from Game 7 of the Smythe Divison final against Calgary, which is also matched to the black mark above the right number "9" on the left sleeve, the black mark on the left rear tail near the side seam, and the black mark on the white stripe below the number on the left sleeve. More video matches are also detailed from Game 5.
Game wear shows in four team repairs with material backing, two on the right sleeve and two on the left sleeve, and a number of stick marks on the front, back and sleeves. There is red and blue paint transfer on the right sleeve and interior pilling, as well as a couple of blue marks inside the cuff with part of one that bled through to the front.
This amazing Wayne Gretzky game-worn jersey comes with a detailed letter of authenticity from Brad Foote of Icehouse and a MeiGray Group Vintage LOA and certificate of registration. Please take note that this lot may be subject to a silent reserve.
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