4/18/1999 Wayne Gretzky NY Rangers Final Career Game-Used & Signed Jersey

Wayne Gretzky’s Final Game Jersey: A Piece of Hockey History

The Legacy of “The Great One”

Wayne Gretzky, affectionately known as “The Great One,” left an indelible mark on the world of hockey. On April 18th, 1999, he played his final career game as a member of the New York Rangers, recording an assist for his 2,857th and final career point. This remarkable achievement was accomplished while wearing the jersey now available for auction. No other player in NHL history has amassed 2,000 career points, a testament to Gretzky’s unparalleled skill and dedication to the sport.

A Historic Farewell

Gretzky’s final game was a momentous occasion, held at Madison Square Garden against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The event was marked by unique tributes, including a lyrical change in “The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Amirante to honor Gretzky, and a heartfelt alteration in the Canadian anthem by Bryan Adams. Gretzky’s assist came from a beautifully orchestrated pass, leading to a goal by fellow Hall of Famer Brian Leetch at 19:30 of the second period.

The Jersey’s Provenance and Significance

This jersey, a relic of Gretzky’s illustrious career, was featured in Madison Square Garden’s “Defining Moments” Museum from 2013 to 2019. It is being offered publicly for the first time, making it a rare and coveted piece of hockey memorabilia. Inside the rear middle tail is a Rangers team tag reading “Game Jersey Set 2 1998-1999 Season,” with the date “4-18-99” handwritten in black marker. Gretzky himself signed the jersey adjacent to the tag, adding the inscription “4/18/99,” which rates a 9 in our opinion.

Details of the Jersey

• Team and Player Identification: The jersey features “RANGERS” diagonally across the front, with the player number “99” on the back and sleeves, and “GRETZKY” sewn directly into the blue mesh fabric.
• Manufacturer and Authenticity Tags: Inside the rear neck is a Starter manufacturer’s tag, with a strip tag below reading “GRETZKY” in black.
• Additional Features: The back tail includes two Starter logos and official NHL logos, though the fight strap has been removed.

A Museum-Quality Artifact

Gretzky wore four jerseys during his final game, one for warm-ups and one for each period. The jersey from the third period, his final jersey, now resides in the Hockey Hall of Fame. This particular jersey is properly tagged, presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows appropriate use. It is accompanied by a MeiGray Photo-Match LOA, a Full JSA LOA, and a letter from John Rosasco, the team’s long-time Senior Vice President of Public Relations, attesting to its authenticity on NY Rangers letterhead.

This jersey is not just a piece of fabric; it is a symbol of Wayne Gretzky’s enduring legacy and the profound impact he had on the sport of hockey. For collectors and fans alike, this is an unparalleled opportunity to own a piece of history from the all-time greatest NHL player. Explore more about this and other sports memorabilia at Grey Flannel Auctions, where the legacy of legends is preserved and celebrated.

* This text was generated from the original auction listing.