Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Winter 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/8/2017
Phil Esposito not only led all players in the epic 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series with 13 points in eight games, including three in the final game, he also led in inspiration by seizing the moment after game 4 to mark his moment in Canadian hockey history. The defining moment in that historic series, other than Paul Henderson's goal of the century in the final game, came in Vancouver after Team Canada's disappointing loss in the fourth game. Esposito's impromptu speech in Vancouver reached out to Canadian hockey fans while touching the hearts of teammates and from that point forward became the rallying point for both the nation and the team, inspiring Canada's comeback victory in the greatest hockey series ever played.
This is an official jersey issued to Phil Esposito and most likely an extra jersey, possibly worn during pre-tournament training camp and Red vs. White inter-squad games held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The solid white maple leaf rises up from the waist of this amazing heavy knit Team Canada uniform by Maska. The maker's black and gold tagging is there in the collar near a size XL tag and a washing instructions label. This shirt is identical in every way to the photo-matched red Phil Esposito tournament uniform we once sold at auction. Phil's familiar number "7" is sewn onto the back below block letters spelling out the word "CANADA". This knit jersey shows obvious with stick marks and red and blue board paint transfer on the front with more marks and some rust-colored staining on the sleeves. Staining is also present on the back on the numbers and lettering. This jersey does not have the alternate's "A" (worn by Phil in the tournament) but photos do exist of Esposito in pre-tournament play wearing a jersey with a taped-on temporary alternate's "A". We believe this uniform to be authentic and original and, at the very least, issued to Phil Esposito for use during the pre-tournament prior to the 1972 Canada Russia Summit Series.
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