This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/10/2006.
He is, simply, the "Great One," a player of unsurpassed skills who dominated hockey as no other single player has ever dominated a team sport. Gretzky began playing professionally when he was only sixteen. After two minor-league seasons, he joined the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association in 1978 but was traded to the Edmonton Oilers after only 8 games. He scored 46 goals and had 64 assists and was named the league's rookie of the year.
The WHA folded and Edmonton moved in the NHL the following season, when Gretzky began putting up really big numbers: 137 points in 1979-80, 164 in 1980-81, 212 in 1981-82, 196 in 1982-83, 205 in 1983-84, 208 in 1984-85, 215 in 1985-86, 183 in 1986-87, leading the league each time. On the back inside collar is the "NIKE" manufacturer's size "XL/TG" tag. Above this tag is a small flag tag with "WG" written in pen. On the inside back is the original fight strap. On the front is the large "Oilers" logo in blue on white with orange tackle twill. On the left breast is the captain "C" in the same tackle twill. On the back and on both sleeves is the player number "99" in orange with blue stitch on white tackle twill. Across the back is the player name "GRETZKY" in white tackle twill on a blue nameplate. There are hit marks on both sleeves and on the front and back bottom. On the bottom of the back of the jersey is the "NIKE" logo screened on in white. The jersey is autographed on the back number in black maker with and rates a 9. The jersey shows nice game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The autograph is accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication. Accompanied by a LOA from the Edmonton Oilers as well as a LOA from Milt Byron.