Gretzky’s last Oilers jersey sells at auction for record $2.8M

Wayne Gretzky’s final Edmonton Oilers jersey, worn in the controversial Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final in which Gretzky captured his fourth and final title, sold at Goldin Auctions for $2,806,000, the highest amount ever paid for a hockey jersey.

The previous record was $1.452 million, set in June 2022 for the same Gretzky jersey, sold through Gray Flannel Auctions.

The 2022 sale included letters of authenticity from Photo-Match.com and MeiGray. However, in January, MeiGray paired the Gretzky jersey with bigger events. Goldin Auctions’ lot description states that MeiGray “conclusively determined” that Gretzky wore the jersey in five separate contests, including Games 1 and 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final.

Another game in which MeiGray matched the jersey took place on March 1, 1988 between the Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings, in which Gretzky notched his 1,050th career assist, passing Gordie Howe as the NHL’s all-time assist leader. Gretzky retired in 1999 with 1,963 assists, still 714 more than any other player.

The photo-matching work represents an increase in sales price of more than 93% in just under four years.

In addition to marking Gretzky’s final championship, Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals between the Oilers and the Boston Bruins is also famous for being canceled on May 4 when the power at Boston Garden went out with less than four minutes left in the second period and the score tied at 3. Two days later, the Oilers won an entirely new game 6-3 to win the Cup and sweep Boston.

The Oilers traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings three months later.