This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2014
After a one-year flirtation with the World Hockey Association (WHA), Wayne Gretzky landed with the Edmonton Oilers in 1979 where he quickly began establishing scoring records at a dizzying pace and led his team to four Stanley Cup championships. Starting with his second year with Edmonton, he would put up scoring totals of 164, 212, 196, 205, 208, 215 and 183, a seven year span unmatched and largely unimagined. Presented here is one of a group of nine Gretzky game pucks, dating from the transcendent early years of Gretzky’s career, acquired by John Hamilton directly from Glen Sather, President and GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Each puck was utilized to achieve a different milestone or record in Gretzky’s then young career.
Things were really heating up for the National Hockey League's young star Wayne Gretzky in December 1983, in only his fifth season. In less than a week he had hit historic milestones of 500 career assists and fastest to 100 points, and now he was being honored for having recorded a point in 36 consecutive games. It was simply that kind of season for the young phenom: he would go on to tally 205 points for the season, the first time that barrier had ever been breached (approached?).
This puck then marks that historic moment, in this instance the very puck used in the Dec. 23, 1983 game against the Calgary Flames. The puck shows game use and has been wrapped with trainer's tape that was affixed following the contest to include notations of game, time, place, etc. The artifact is in fine condition and without issue, with the hand writing by the trainer still easily legible. Comes with a 3-by- 1/2-inch plastic nameplate with gold finish engraved with the date, score and description.
Includes a copy of a Letter of Authenticity signed by Glen Sather, President and GM of the Edmonton Oilers, along with a Letter of Provenance from the Newport Sports Museum Collection.