The game of hockey–it is more than safe to conclude–provides its fair share of Canada’s totems.
The remains of a roll of tape, a broken stick, a battered glove, tossed by an older player–be it at an NHL practice or after a beer league game–is more than capable of lighting up a Canadian kid’s heart.
A sacred memory.
A set of Wayne Gretzky’s gloves were revovered following an investigation by three levels of Canadian police. (Brantford Police Service)
There is, of course–sometimes–another side to those emotions: a thriving memorabilia business–where hockey cards and hockey sticks fetch a very pretty penny at auction or at a store that specializes in such things.
How pretty is that penny?
Last week, a hockey card featuring Wayne Gretzky, considered by many the greatest player of all time, fetched $1.29 million U.S. at auction–the first time a hockey card crossed the $1 million U.S. threshold.
More than two decades after retiring, Wayne Gretzky’s 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie card became hockey’s first to cost more than $1 million US at auction. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Heritage Auctions)
Maybe a shot at that kind of money is what prompted someone to steal an estimated $635,000 Cdn. worth of memorabilia from the home of Gretzky’s father, Walter, in Brantford, Ontario in August.
The items included game-used hockey sticks, jerseys, gloves, pants and a Player-of-the Year Award from the 1983-84 season.
Did any member of the three levels of police–local, provincial, federal–have a memory of getting a piece of of equipment tossed their way when they were a kid?
Hard to know.
Still.
It sure didn’t take the cops long.
Game-worn gloves and hockey pants were among the items that were stolen, according to police. (Brantford Police Service)
Investigators said they quickly found that several of the missing items had likely been sold to collectors across Canada.
Search warrants were executed at five homes in Alberta and Ontario, and on Dec. 8 the memorabilia was recovered.
Two people have been arrested.
A 58-year-old Oakville man is charged with theft and possession of stolen property, and a 58-year-old Brockville woman is charged with fraud and breach of trust.
“On behalf of our family, I would like to thank the Brantford Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for everything they have done regarding this investigation,” read a statement attributed to Glen Gretzky, a brother of Wayne, speaking as any self-respecting Canadian hockey player would.
“I would like to sincerely thank every member of the team; the professionalism, dedication and support they have shown has been greatly appreciated.”
With files from CBC News (Dan Taekema), The Canadian Press (Joshua Clipperton)
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