Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction February 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2018
We here at Classic Auctions are thrilled to offer the collecting community a sweater from the Howie Morenz memorial game in 1937, worn by prominent HOF Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Reginald “Red” Horner. The NHL leader in penalty minutes for seven of the dozen seasons he spent wearing the historic maple leaf, Horner retired as the NHL’s all-time most penalized player, a dubious distinction later surpassed by “Terrible” Ted Lindsay in the 1950s. The Lynden Ontario native was also the oldest living NHL player at the time of his death in 2005. Originally hailing from the Horner family, the cream-coloured wool features both “Howie Morenz” and “Memorial Game” in black-on-white felt-over-felt plates across the chest, with the former arching over the latter. A thick felt “5” has also been affixed to verso, with a single black star placed along the middle portion of the left sleeve. With just a few small holes present, the sweater remains in absolutely gorgeous condition. The felt identifiers all remain firmly affixed, with just a tiny stain between the felt plates.
Interestingly, Horner received the only penalty called in the Morenz game - a hooking infraction in the first period – and while serving the penalty, the referee skated by and apologized, noting that Horner had been penalized by mistake as the intended perpetrator was Sweeney Schriner. Considering both the sweaters amazing state of preservation coupled with the sheer historical importance of the Morenz benefit game, this stunning specimen is arguably one of the most desirable wools to hit the market in some time. A detailed letter of provenance from the Horner family will accompany this gorgeous prize. Please take note that this item may be subject to a silent reserve.
The Morenz Memorial game was played at the Montreal Forum on Wednesday, November 3, 1937 to aid the family of the late, great Howie Morenz who had died in hospital the previous March. The idol of a generation and one of hockey’s immortals, Morenz was just 34 when an embolism took him to the red, white and blue heavens, leaving behind a saddened hockey world and a legacy recounted countless times. The game pitted an All-Star team of Montreal Canadiens and crosstown Maroons against a lineup of All-Stars from the NHL’s other clubs.
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