Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2024
Created with the relocation of the unsuccessful Los Angeles Sharks to the Detroit area following the 1973-74 WHA season, the Michigan Stags lasted a mere 43 games before folding due to financial difficulties in January of 1975 and relocating to Baltimore to become the Blades for the remainder of the season. Finishing their stint in Michigan with a record of 18-40-1, the Stags would play their final game before relocation in Cleveland against the Crusaders on January 18th, 1975 to the tune of a 2-1 loss. Fearing a lawsuit from the Stags former owners in Detroit for use of the old uniforms, the WHA, who had taken control of the club on January 6th, shipped the team basic white jerseys with red and blue accents for the January 18th contest at Cleveland and forced the team to ditch their regularly seen/worn jerseys for them. Described as "embarrassing" by Stags coach, Johnny Wilson, the league also shipped the team purple coloured hockey pants which the club managed to avoid wearing.
Offered here, we present this jersey worn by Stags defenceman, John Miszuk, during the team's final WHA game on January 18th, 1975 against the Cleveland Crusaders. A generic durene knit offering made by Rawlings that sports a classic style tie-neck collar over the front, a Rawlings brand label that displays a size "XL" designation is affixed to the inner collar underneath another one from notable equipment provider, Gerry Cosby. Sporting a bit of resemblance to the uniforms worn by the NHL's New York Rangers, the white body has red and white strips over the lower portion while red and white stripes are found in the blue coloured shoulders. With additional red and blue stripes over both sleeves and blue cuffs at the end of both sleeves, the front and reverse have been decorated with Miszuk's number "5" in a heavily screened on single layer numeral. Void of any other logos or identifiers, the jersey, worn for just a single game, shows just light game-wear in the form of stick marks over the backside of the left sleeve, backside of the left shoulder, left side of the front and the reverse hem, pilling/rubbing from Miszuk's gloves at each cuff, a single light board burn over each sleeve and some spot staining over the front hem, reverse and both sleeves. Void of a fight strap on the interior but showing some light pilling in numerous areas on the inside of the jersey, don't miss out on this seldom seen offering from the rival league.
By clicking this button, you will IMMEDIATELY bid the amount selected.
By clicking this button, you will submit this amount as your MAXIMUM (absentee) bid. The auction software will place bids on your behalf up to this amount only as it is bid against competitively by other bidder(s).