Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2024
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2024
Suiting up in the blue and white of his native Finland on numerous occasions during his time spent playing hockey, Reijo Ruotsalainen would play for the Finnish Junior National Team from 1975 to 1980, winning bronze at the European Junior Championships in 1976 and silver at the World Junior Championships in 1980, where he together with Tomas Jonsson were appointed best defencemen of tournament. Graduating to the senior National Team soon after, Ruotsalainen played for his home country at the IIHF World Championships in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, and 1989 and both the 1981 and the 1987 Canada Cups. Also having played at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Ruotsalainen would register 6 points in 8 games played as Finland would capture the silver medal, the countries best result at the Games at that point in time. Offered here, we present this Team Finland jersey worn by Ruotsalainen at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Made by Tackla, the mostly mesh construction garment features knit over the shoulders and hem while size "XL" and Tackla brand tagging are affixed to the inner collar. Decorated over the front with a Finnish lion team crest below "Suomi" that has been screened on in thick heavy letters, a small Tackla logo is found alongside the collar on the right side of the jersey. Accented over the sleeves and verso with Ruotsalainen's number "29" in flocked felt numerals, "Ruotsalainen" is spelt out in matching flocked felt letters across the affixed matching mesh nameplate on the upper reverse. Featuring reinforcements near the bottom of each sleeve, the jersey exhibits game-wear in the form of stick marks, board burns, red coloured board paint transfers and small holes over both sleeves while stick marks are seen over both the lower front and reverse as well. With some light fraying present on the interior, it should be mentioned that the flocked letters and numbers have blue colour bleed coming through them and the "Suomi" on the front has red coloured stains. Accompanied by a COA from the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the jersey comes from Ruotsalainen's personal collection and is joined by his signed LOA as well.
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