Sports

The final Edmonton Oilers jersey of Wayne Gretzky sells for a record $1.452 million

On Sunday night, Grey Flannel Auctions sold Wayne Gretzky’s final Edmonton Oilers jersey for $1.452 million (with buyer’s premium) during the team’s 1987-88 playoff run, which saw the Oilers win their fourth of five Stanley Cup victories.

It was the highest price ever paid for an NHL jersey. The previous high was $1.3 million, purchased for Canadian hero Paul Henderson’s Summit Series jersey in 1972.

The uniform top was worn during Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup finals against the Boston Bruins, which was a contentious game. The Boston Garden’s power went out with less than four minutes left in the second period, with the score level at 3 and Edmonton leading the series 3-0. Two days later, the game was called and replayed from the start; the Oilers triumphed 6-3 to clinch the Cup.

Gretzky’s puck-and-stick-scuffed jersey was showered in champagne after Edmonton’s victory. The marks on the suit can still be seen today.

For his playoff MVP performance, he was also awarded his second Conn Smythe Trophy. Only five NHL players have won two Conn Smythe Trophies, and Gretzky is one of them.

Gretzky was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings three months later.

Gretzky’s gloves from the same Stanley Cup-clinching game sold for $204,162 at the same auction.