Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction April 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2024
A product of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who was drafted 215th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, Peter Fiorentino would play in a single National Hockey League game during his career, taking place during the 1991-92 season in a game in which the Rangers played the Los Angeles Kings. Playing numerous seasons in both the IHL and AHL throughout his career, offered here is this AHL Hartford Wolf Pack jersey worn by Fiorentino during his one (1) game played with the club during their first season of play in 1997-98. An air-knit material garment made by Athletic Knit that was used by the team during their first month of play due to their Bauer made jerseys not yet being ready, a brand label that displays a size "XXXL" designation is affixed to the inner collar while the "AK" logo for the brand is found screened on over the reverse hem. Decorated over the front of the jersey with a Wolf Pack team crest that features both textured and embroidered details throughout its entirety, the franchise's "Inaugural Game" crest has been sewn over the right breast and alternate logo patches have been placed over both shoulders. Styled over the sleeves and verso with Fiorentino's number "29" in stacked tri-layer tackle twill numerals, "Fiorentino" is spelt out in dual layer red-over-white drop-shaddow tackle twill letters that have been sewn down directly to the material of the upper reverse in a gentle arch. Having had a fight strap sewn into the interior of the jersey, the garement displays game-wear in the form of board burns over both sleeves as well as a board burn near the right elbow that has resulted in small unrepaired holes as well. An excellent piece of Hartford hockey history, the piece comes accompanied by a MeiGray LOA.
Instrumental to the hobby as one of the founders of the MeiGray Group in 1997, a hobby entity paramount in the authentication of game-worn jerseys and equipment, pioneer collector Barry Meisel enjoyed almost two decades as a successful sports journalist. Beginning with his days interning for the Binghamton Evening Press while a senior in college, Meisel explains how his passion for collecting was fueled, stating “My plan was to get a game-worn jersey for every team I covered once I became a pro hockey writer. I got a Barons, then a Broome Dusters, Binghamton Whalers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers. It was the late '80s. My first career was born. From the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin to the Morristown, NJ, Daily Record, to the New York Daily News”.
In his dozen years with the New York Daily News, Meisel covered the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He also spent the early-1990s serving as the News’ investigative sports reporter, with additional time as a columnist for The Hockey News (1982-90) and The New York Giants Newsweekly (1990-96), with a few book authored including 'Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers’. Despite building a vast and encompassing grouping of items, Meisel notes, "I have my favorites. The Scotty Press that still sits in my home office. My 1983-84 Detroit Red Wings Ken Holland, the minor-league goalie in Binghamton who became a lifelong friend, and who had a cup of NHL coffee before becoming a Hall of Fame General Manager. And my 1994 Stanley Cup Finals New York Rangers white Craig MacTavish, who was wearing this jersey in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 1994. MacT knocked the final faceoff into the corner with 1.6 seconds left on a 54-year Jinx, the night the Rangers allowed the Monster of MSG to one day Die in Peace. This jersey is on display at the Garden, to remind every Blue Seater from old Section 433 that the wait was worth it”.
Classic Auctions in honoured to have been chosen to sell the Barry Meisel personal collection, with dozens of high-quality jerseys offered including an endless supply of important New York Rangers specimens from Rod Gilbert, Peter Sundstrom, James Patrick, Mark Tinordi, Kris King and other Blueshirts as well as WHA jerseys from the Indianapolis Racers, Quebec Nordiques and Ottawa Nationals. Additional gems that will have bidders salivating includes Peter McDuff’s 1973-74 AHL Providence Reds game-worn home and away jerseys, bobble head dolls, important programs and other assorted memorabilia.
As always, we hope these long-loved treasures find new appreciative collectors, with Meisel stating it best, “It's time for Classic Collectibles and my good friend Marc Juteau to help me find my gamers new homes. Time for others to enjoy the greatest hobby alive."
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