Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2019
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2019
Like many born in Canada before the Second World War, Johnny Bucyk was the son of poor working-class immigrant parents from the Ukraine, and growing up in Edmonton, he received his early hockey schooling playing for clubs in the Albertan capital including the city’s Oil Kings and Flyers. Blessed with a sturdy six-foot frame and hefty 215-lbs along with skilled hands and a strong work ethic, Bucyk signed with the Detroit Red Wings as a 20-year old, seeing just over 100 games of Motor City action before being traded to the Boston Bruins for the legendary Terry Sawchuk, in 1957. Leading a somewhat struggling Beantown squad throughout the late-1950s along with his “Uke” linemates Vic Stasiuk and Bronco Horvath, Chief would remain loyal and skate for the Bruins for a total of 21 seasons, and was instrumental as a veteran in helping youthful stars Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito transition Boston to become a force to be reckoned with. A pair of Stanley Cup championships would be won – famously, with Bucyk’s dignified play and sportsmanship honoured with selection as the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner, in both 1971 and 1974. Also noteworthy as the oldest player to score 50-goals in a season, Bucyk would retire after the 1977-78 NHL campaign with 545 goals scored in a Bruins jersey – more than enough to place him first in franchise history, with HOF enshrinement occurring in 1981. The perennial face of the Boston Bruins, Bucyk would spend over 50 seasons with the team, serving in a number of capacities.
Originating from the twilight of his especially noteworthy Hall of Fame career, we have a Boston Bruins captain’s jersey worn by Johnny Bucyk during the 1974-75 NHL regular season, with any and all jerseys worn by the superstar rarely offered or seen in the hobby. A partially detached Wilson label with “50” sizing is affixed to the collar, with no other tagging present. Featuring the legendary spoked-B team crest fully administered in layered gold and black tackle twill over a white base, Bucyk’s iconic “9” graces the sleeves and verso in matching material, with dual garter-style fight straps utilized. We should note that the colored shoulder bands of the previous style were discontinued for this season, with no bear alternate patches over the shoulders as issued. Exhibiting great game use, the gold colouration remains vibrant throughout, with wear, marks and some puckering over the team crest and numbers. There is some pilling over the front band and in a few interior spots, with numerous team repairs visible, including over the front (2), reverse (4), left sleeve (2) and right (5). We should also note a few minor separations along the inner gold border on the team crest, with a few small holes encompassing the reverse number. Worn by one of the most venerated players from one of the most historic of franchises, this Bruins finery merits optimal placement within the hobby’s most peerless of collections.
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