Wayne Gretzky – a.k.a. "The Great One" – may well be the finest hockey player in the history of the game. Born Wayne Douglas Gretzky in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, on January 26, 1961, the Great Gretzky set the hockey world ablaze during his professional playing days from 1978-99, leading the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships and amassing an impressive array of individual records. Upon his retirement in 1999, the normal three-year waiting period was waived, with Gretzky immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 22, 1999.
Here are ten valuable collectible Wayne Gretzky hockey memorabilia items that are sure
to excite sports memorabilia buffs. Now taking to the ice once again #99 the great Wayne Gretzky...Wayne Gretzky 1979 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Hockey Card
The 1979 O-Pee-Chee Canadian-produced card series features entry #18 Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers. This is the Great Gretzky's rookie card and one of the most famous in the sports collectibles field. One example in graded/certified SGC 88 near mint/mint 8 condition sold at auction for $776.75.
Wayne Gretzky 1990 Game-Worn All Star Hockey Jersey
Wayne Gretzky game-used hockey jerseys are the Holy Grail for collectors. A 1990 jersey worn by Gretzky in the January 21, 1990, NHL All Star Game at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena scored big at auction, bringing a top bid of $13,145.
Wayne Gretzky 1986-87 Game-Worn Hockey Gloves
A pair of Jofa 686 L model hockey gloves – bearing the twin number 99 decals – worn by Wayne Gretzky during the 1987 NHL championship series brought $21,510 at auction.
Wayne Gretzky 1979 Topps Rookie Hockey Card
Wayne Gretzky's 1979 Topps #18 rookie card is worth less than the Canadian O-Pee-Chee version. One example in graded/certified Beckett near mint-mint 8 condition sold at auction for $286.80.
Wayne Gretzky Game-Worn 1988-89 Los Angeles Kings Hockey Jersey
Wayne Gretzy played for the Los Angeles Kings from 1988-96.
A game-used jersey worn by Gretzky during his first 1988-89 season with the Kings brought $11,352.50 at auction.Wayne Gretzky Upper Deck Authenticated Signed Photo
Wayne Gretzky autographs are always in demand. A reproduced color photo of the February 15, 1982, cover of Sports Illustrated from Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) and signed in blue sharpie by Wayne Gretzky with "99" jersey number notation sold at auction for $215.10.
Wayne Gretzky Game-Used Autographed 1989 Hockey Stick
Baseball players sign balls and bats and hockey players sign pucks and sticks. A Titan TPM 2020 model hockey stick used by Wayne Gretzky and subsequently autographed fetched $1,434 at auction.
Wayne Gretzky 1994 European Exhibition Hockey Tour Game-Worn Jersey
During the 1994 NHL lockout, Wayne Gretzky organized a six-game tour of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Called "Wayne Gretzky and Friends," the tour also featured Brett Hull, Sergei Fedorov, Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman. A personal jersey from that hockey exhibition worn and subsequently signed by Gretzky sold at auction for $10,755.
Wayne Gretzky Signed 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card
Card #203 in the 1982-83 OPC hockey card series features Hart Trophy winner Wayne Gretzky. A certified PSA/DNA autographed example brought $101.58 at auction.
Wayne Gretzky Life-Size National Hockey League Coca-Cola Standup
A life-size cardboard standup picturing Wayne Gretzky pitching a Coca-Cola sport bottle dates from the 1990s and his days with the Los Angeles Kings. That standup, along with two smaller Gretzky promotional signs, sold at auction for $155.35.
Wayne Gretzky Hockey Collectibles Credits
- All auction results courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries, Dallas, Texas