Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2024
A star in the Ontario Hockey League during his junior hockey career as a member of both the Oshawa Generals and London Knights, John Tavares would become the first player to ever be granted exceptional status by the Canadian Hockey League and would go on to be drafted first overall by the New York Islanders at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Playing a total of nine (9) seasons on Long Island and serving as captain in five (5) of those campaigns before returning home and joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, offered here is this Islanders jersey worn by Tavares during his rookie season of 2009-10 which was utilized during his 1st NHL pre-season contest and his 1st NHL regular season road game. Made by Reebok and displaying a lone size "56" label affixed to the inner collar, the crests of both the NHL and Reebok have been added over the front and reverse necklines of the faux tie-neck garment respectively. Decorated over the front with a familiar Islanders team crest that features embroidered details throughout, an alternate logo patch has been sewn down over the right shoulder. Styled over the front right breast, sleeves and verso with Tavares' number "91" in dual layer tackle twill numerals, "Tavares" has been spelt out in matching style letters across the affixed matching nameplate across the top of the reverse. Exhibiting good game-wear throughout the piece, stick marks are present over the front and both sleeves, board burns, including a single one on each sleeve that has resulted in a small unrepaired hole, are observed over both sleeves as well. Sporting additional wear in the form of some pilling at both elbows on the interior, the jersey, purchased directly from the Islanders, has had an Islanders team tag that is serial numbered "209306" and denotes the piece as being from the 2009-2010 season sewn inside the reverse hem.
Accompanied by a matching Islanders LOA, the jersey was sent to MeiGray for authentication in December of 2009 and is accompanied by their LOA and COR as well. Additionally, as outlined in the MeiGray LOA, the jersey has been photo-matched to Tavares 1st NHL pre-season contest on September 16th, 2009 against the Edmonton Oilers with Getty Image #91356174 to the small loose navy thread at the top right side of the "9" on the left sleeve and to the small loose orange thread at the top left corner of the "9" over the right breast. Also photo-matched to JT's first NHL regular season road game on October 8th, 2009 against the Ottawa Senators, Getty Image #91809773 is matched to loose threads on both the "9" and "1" over the left breast as well as to the slightly angled placement of navy and orange open end of the "9". Finally, the jersey has also been photo-matched to games up to and including the game on November 14th, 2009 versus the Florida Panthers.
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