By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

Hall of Fame hockey player Phil Esposito is selling his personal collection, which includes awards, portraits and even a signed leg cast from a playoff injury.

Esposito’s collection will be sold through Legendary Auctions in November.

Esposito kept a vast collection of items through his 18-year playing career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.

“Through the years, I collected items that meant something to me personally,” Esposito said in a release. “They represent pieces of me and I want to leave that legacy in good hands. I wanted to be the person who decided what happened to my collection.”

Legendary Auctions is calling Esposito’s collection one of the most interesting hockey assemblies in existence. It includes items from his fabulous run with the Bruins from 1969-74, the 1972 Summitt Series and his time as an NHL franchise owner.

Some of the items include:
・ 1969/70 Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Award – Esposito’s First Stanley Cup
・ 1972 Team Canada “Team of the Century” Award and Ring.
・ 1973 Signed Leg Cast from Playoff Injury
・ 1973/74 Lester B. Pearson Trophy won with the Boston Bruins
・ 1977 LeRoy Neiman Original Sketch Portrait
・ Historic 1979/80 Signed and Inscribed 700th Goal Game Used Stick
・ 1980/81 Signed and Inscribed Final Game Used Stick With the New York Rangers
・ 1984 Hall of Fame Induction Plaque and Ring
・ 1992/93 Tampa Bay Lightning Inaugural Season Ring, which is just one of three made.

Esposito’s collection will be the cornerstone of other hockey items in the auction. Other items showcased in the auctions are:

・ Historic 1970 Bobby Orr Stanley Cup-Winning Puck – “The Goal”!
・ Bobby Orr 1975/76 Boston Bruins Signed Game Used Home Jersey – Final Boston Season
・ Wayne Gretzky Early-to-Mid-1980s Edmonton Oilers Game Used Helmet
・ Wayne Gretzky 1990s L.A. Kings Signed Game Used Jersey

“We are thrilled with the privilege of bringing Phil Esposito’s items to the public,” said Jeffrey Marren, VP Operations at Legendary Auctions. “The collection contains the type of memorabilia that our collectors crave – fresh, significant and unquestionably authentic. Really what this sale amounts to is yet another historic event in Phil’s amazing career and an incredible opportunity for collectors to be part of it.”

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Hockey magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

In The Game’s hockey products have been around for more than a decade. Now, Dr. Brian Price is bringing together a product that highlights its past with History of Hockey.

There are just four cards in each box: a memorabilia card, a PSA/DNA certified autograph, a Rookie Card and a buyback.

ITG hasn’t released dates or pricing yet, but there are plenty of pictures and early information about History of Hockey for hockey collectors.

Most of the original work comes in the 145-card set Great Moments in Hockey. These are all memorabilia cards and includes an extensive checklist.

Some of the highlights include Paul Henderson‘s “Goal of the Century” in 1972 to clinch the Summit Series against the USSR, Wayne Gretzky’s record-setting 802nd goal, Bobby Orr’s flying goal to complete the sweep of the St. Louis Blues in 1970 and the Miracle on Ice.

These first two group of cards in Great Moments in Hockey will have artwork by Jared Kelley and Mike James, whose cards will include vintage authentic memorabilia. Each card will feature hand-painted artwork with nine silver versions and just one gold version. The final 85 in the group will also have artwork, but will have 30 silver versions and 10 gold.

ITG’s buy backs will be cards from past products starting with 1998-99. There are some huge names that are going to be included such as Steve Yzerman, Mario Lemeiux and Patrick Roy. ITG will include 4,000 buy backs (which should give you an idea of how many boxes will be made of History of the Game).

Half of the 4,000 will be autographs and the other will be memorabilia cards.

ITG has combed the years to find some of the best Rookie Cards of top players. There are opportunities to snag Orr’s 1966-67 Topps RC or Maurice Richard’s 1951-52 Parkhurst RC. Some of the Rookie Cards will be more valuable than others, but there is a chance to pull some great cards.

The final card in the box is an authentic autograph on cards various sets and companies such as a Gretzky on a 1981 O-Pee-Chee or Phil Esposito on 1975 Topps. All the autographs have been verified by PSA.

Each of the cards are encapsulated, clearly labeled and serial-numbered.

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Hockey magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.