This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 11/14/2022.
The Edmonton Oilers entered the NHL for the 1979-80 season as one of four World Hockey Association teams that joined the League. The Oilers immediately made the playoffs with a late-season winning streak behind the brilliance of Wayne Gretzky. In Gretzky’s first NHL season he captured the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP scoring 51 goals and adding 86 assists for 137 points. “The Great One” continued his dominance throughout the rest of his career and was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, making him the most recent player to have the waiting period waived. The NHL retired his jersey number 99 league-wide, making him the only player to receive this honor. Presented is a historically significant Gretzky jersey worn throughout his first NHL season. Inside beneath the collar is the “Maska Superfil” manufacturer’s tag. Across the chest is the “OILERS” team logo crest. The player number “99” is on both sleeves and back in orange on white tackle twill that are substantially faded. On the right shoulder is the “EDMONTON 1904-1979” 75th anniversary patch. Repairs are present throughout the jersey including on both sleeves and the back. Black marks, board burns and paint transfers are also seen throughout the jersey as well as an unrepaired hole on the back. On the back right tail reads “Maska” embroidered in white and the loop fight strap is intact. Across the back on a blue nameplate is the player name “GRETZKY” in white vinyl lettering with the “T” and “Y” partially separating. The nameplate appears to have been added as the Oilers did not wear nameplates in the preseason. Gretzky signed the back of the jersey in beautiful black marker and in our opinion rates a 9. A significant piece of NHL history, this jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows outstanding use. Accompanied by a MeiGray LOA and a Full JSA LOA.