Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction February 2025
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/18/2025
With a history in the International Ice Hockey Federation dating back to 1911 when it joined as the Russian Empire, the current iteration of the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia dates to 1952 when it joined international competition as the Soviet Union. Currently ranked second in the World for its Men's program and sixth for its Women, Russia has claimed numerous medals at both the Winter Olympic Games and World Championships throughout its history. With over 90,000 in the country playing the game of hockey, offered here is this collection of three (3) Russian National Team game-issued/team-issued jerseys that hail directly from the personal collection of Kimmo Leinonen. Including examples from the 2005 IIHF World Championships and Euro Hockey Tour of 2008-09. Starting with the World Championship offering, hailing from the 2005 edition of the tournament that was held in Austria, the jersey is made by Nike and features a brand label display a size "54" designation affixed to the inner collar along with additional "IIHF Authentic Collection" and "Made In Canada" tags as well. Having had Nike swoosh logos added over the reverse neckline and right breast of the tie-neck style garment, the front of the jersey is decorated with Russia's coat of arms team crest that features embroidered details throughout while "Russia" is spelt out below in dual layer while outlined with red Cyrillic letters. Accented over the sleeves and verso with the number "18" in matching style numerals, no nameplate was ever added over the upper reverse (the number was worn by Evgeni Malkin during the World Championships) and no sponsorship patches were added to the upper portions of the sleeves. Retaining its fight strap on the interior as well as a production date sticker inside the reverse hem, the jersey shows no obvious wear other than a couple small marks/stains throughout. For the other jersey, issued to Alexander Perezhogin for the 2008-09 Euro Hockey Tour, the jersey is a lightweight knit offering made by Lutch and sports a brand label displaying a size "54" designation affixed to the inner collar. Decorated over the body and sleeves with various sponsorship logos that have been sublimated into the material, the front of the jersey is decorated with Russia's coat of arms crest that features embroidered details throughout while a federation badge has been sewn on over the left breast. Void of a fight strap on the interior and featuring Perezhogin's number "37" heat pressed on over the sleeves and verso in dual layer navy felt over gold numerals, a nameplate with "Perezhogin" sublimated across it in dual layer white over navy letters is affixed to the lower reverse. Remaining in overall excellent condition, a couple of marks are seen over the lower front and left sleeve. A Classic Auctions LOA will accompany the lot.
Born in Tampere, Finland, in 1949, and beginning his rise in the hockey ranks as a junior hockey coach while also involved in the hockey stick industry in Canada and Germany, Finnish hockey executive and writer Kimmo Leinonen had a connection to the NHL as he was employed as a scout for the New York Rangers from 1978-79 to 1982-83. As a founding member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979 - where he served as chairman from 2011 to 2018, Leinonen also helped to establish the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1996 and was the director of public relations and marketing for the organization from 1995 to 2007. His later career included an appointment as general secretary of the 2012 and 2013 Ice Hockey World Championships co-hosted in both Finland and Sweden. The hockey guru has written multiple books on the history of hockey in Finland, and for his great contributions to the sport, was inducted into the builder category of the Finnish Hall of Fame in 2011. He was further acknowledged as the only person from Finland to win the Paul Loicq Award in recognition for his efforts in international ice hockey in 2023. We are pleased to offer items from his personal collection that he acquired during his years as the IIHF director of public relations and marketing from 1995 to 1997, with others originating from later in his career as well as international hockey memorabilia he collected and items he was gifted.
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).