[hockeyvadim]

So about two weeks ago I was on Craigslist and i ran across an estate sale going on about 20 minutes south of where I live. Yesterday the family and I decided to go to dinner in that same neighborhood and I figured I'd kill two birds with one and stop by the sale. Well, I walked into this place and it was full of all sorts of sports cards, memorabilia, records, movie posters, and about a dozen old school electric guitars. Whoever's estate this was they sure like to collect stuff.

Anyway, I looked through the hockey cards and it was nothing but a bunch of early 90's stuff from Score, UD, and Bowman so that was a bit of a bummer.

I kept looking and found a couple of interested piece of memorabilia. I picked up these two piece for $6 each.

First edition Mario Lemieux starting lineup figure.



First ediction hockey beckett magazine.



Well, these two piece of history aren't the reason I'm telling you this story.

I kept wandering around the sale and noticed a hockey puck just sitting amongst a pile of other things. I saw it was a Canadiens puck that looked old and it was autographed. I asked one of the guys if he knew who the puck was autographed by and he said he had no clue. Originally I couldn't tell who it was signed by either by I pretty quickly figured it out and I told him. I asked him what he wanted for it and he said a couple bucks. I guess he either wasn't paying attention when I told him who it was or he didn't care. I paid the guy and left the sale and went to join my family for dinner. Mid meal i notice the guy who sold me the stuff come into the restaurant and walk over to our table. He leans over and very quietly whispers in my ear, "dude, that puck is signed by.......... and it books for about $200-$250"

I smile and politely tell him, "yeah, I know, I tried telling you that"

He smiles and says "congrats" and walks out the restaurant.

Now it's very possible that it is a fake but I've gone on ebay and looked things up and it looks pretty comparable to others that have sold as high as $349. I figure I'll get it authenticated and if it's real I'll hang on to it for a while as a bit of nostalgic MOJO. Anyway, sorry for the long read but here it is. I'm sure alot of you will figure out just as I did who the puck is signed by. ;-)

[swjrp10]

you are one lucky buggar!

[Ducks_Fan]

I could be wrong but that looks like Maurice Richard! I actually know his grand daughter and dated her when I was younger; and believe it or not it wasn't just because of her grandpa! I didn't even know until a family reunion!

[pens fan addict]

wow!! awesome story and pick up!!! Thats what you get for being honest!! He should have listened better!! CONGRATS!!

[ty4orce]

It is authentic I have met Maurice and Henri on numerous occasions and also being an artist with a keen eye I can tell from some tell tale ways he signs that it is real I have no doubt in my mind.....Congrats on your find!

[hockeyvadim]

Thanks Gang, yeah I was pretty stoked when I left the sale yesterday. Having the guy chase me down in the restaurant made things that much more interesting. My wife and mother-in-law were pretty amazed.

[rvelligan]

Awesome pick-up. Congrats to you for new PC finds.

[ty4orce]

That is a true piece of Hockey history and would make a fantastic center piece to any Hockey fans collection.....if there was any one to have Maurice would be it in my opinion!

[bluefrozencanuck]

Fantastic find congrats

[jonathani]

Great story! I am glad the guy was cool about it, too. I half expected you to say he came into the restaurant and wanted the puck back. The good mojo goes both ways on this one. I hope he found something back at his sale worth a mint before anyone bought it.

Thanks for sharing.

JonathanI