This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/10/2024.
Wayne Gretzky was the top scorer in the 1978 World Junior Championship. In June 1978, he signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association, where he played before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers, and the rest was history. This is Northland stick, bearing the correct faded black ‘GRETZKY’ stamp on the upper front and rear of the shaft. There is no factory date stamp on Northland sticks, however batch codes were included on his sticks. The code on this stick reads ‘425018’ in black ink. The factory craftsman has also added ‘Gretzky’ faintly in pencil on the top edge. Wayne had several different pattern codes with Northland, the 70555 code of this stick was his most commonly used pattern. The knob tape has yellowed with age. It appears that Mr. Gretzky cut the stick shorter after it was taped. Wayne was experimenting with different lengths and blades in his first couple years of pro hockey, which can be seen in photos. This stick has 2 sets of vintage sharpie 99’s used to label his stick on the upper wood shaft and knob taping. This stick is properly marked, presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows excellent use. Accompanied by a Joe Esposito LOA.