Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction November 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/28/2023
A long-serving captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mats Sundin is currently the Leafs' all-time leader in goals and points. Drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989, Sundin would also represent his native Sweden on numerous occasions throughout his career, winning an Olympic gold medal in 2006. Up for grabs here, we present this photo-matched Maple Leafs jersey worn by Sundin while serving as an assistant captain during the 1996-97 season. Made by CCM, a lone washed out size "56" fly tag is affixed to the inner collar while both the CCM and NHL shield logos have been embroidered into the reverse hem. Decorated over the front with a classic Maple Leafs team crest that has had "Toronto Maple Leafs" embroidered into it, the distinguished alternate captain's "A" has been affixed over the left breast while the Maple Leaf Gardens 65th anniversary patch that was worn by the team throughout the season has been added over the right breast. Accented over both shoulders with matching Leafs alternate logo crests, with each featuring beautifully embroidered details throughout, the sleeves and verso have both had Sundin's number "13" sewn to them in single layer blue twill numerals while "Sundin" is spelt out in matching style across the affixed matching nameplate at the top of the back.
Exhibiting heavy game-wear throughout the entire garment, the front, reverse and both sleeves are riddled with stick marks. Displaying additional wear via numerous board burns and board paint transfers over both sleeves, more paint transfer marks are seen over the reverse and behind the right shoulder, where they are particularly heavy. Also having been decorated with numerous unrepaired cuts and smaller holes over both sleeves, the largest cuts are found via a pair of them on the left sleeve near the elbow and to the right of the "3". Showing heavy pilling on the interior and salting to the fight strap, the jersey comes accompanied my a MeiGray LOA and COR and has had its desirability heightened ever further by the fact that Sundin has signed below the MLG anniversary patch on the front with a blue marker ink signature that displays without issue despite some fading.
Regarding the aforementioned photo-match, Getty Image #1181301501 (December 3rd, 1996 vs St. Louis) has been matched to the stick mark below the bottom blue sleeve stripe at Sundin's right elbow as well as to the stick marks under the right side Leafs crest on the lower front.
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