THE CANADIAN PRESS
U.S. Olympic hockey hero Mike Eruzione is hoping to top Paul Henderson’s record for the world’s most expensive hockey jersey.
Inspired by the $1.275 million sale of the sweater Henderson wore while scoring the winning goal at the 1972 Summit Series, Eruzione is auctioning off his Miracle On Ice jersey and other equipment from the American upset victory at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The former Boston University star scored the winning goal in the semifinal against the powerhouse Soviet Union before the squad of mostly unknown college players won gold with a victory over Finland in the final.
Dallas-based Heritage Auctions currently has a US$350,000 bid for the jersey on its website. Internet bidding ends Feb. 22.
The 58-year-old said some of the proceeds will go to his charity, the Winthrop Foundation, but mostly he wants to provide for his three children and his grandchildren.
"I heard Paul Henderson’s jersey went for $1.2 million and I said to my wife ‘We better get the equipment out of the attic,"’ Eruzione said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "Financially, things are fine.
"I’m not doing this for the wrong reasons. I have three kids and a two-month-old grandson and I’d like to secure their future."
The Winthrop, Mass., native hopes his jersey will bring in as much or more than Henderson’s, which was sold through Classic Auctions to Toronto real estate dealer Mitchell Goldhar. The No. 19 sweater was displayed on a tour across Canada. Guinness World Records certified it as the most expensive hockey jersey.
The American victory was named the top sports moment of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated in 1999 and Eruzione’s goal was voted the greatest highlight by ESPN viewers in 2008.
"I think it might have had a bigger impact (than the Henderson goal)," he said. "Henderson’s was a hockey victory.
"This was a piece of American history. The victory had a bigger impact from a political standpoint for us, with the Soviets, the Cold War and everything else that was going on. With the Canadian victory, people were shocked that it took eight games. No one thought we’d even get to the game to play against the Soviets."
At auction are the white No. 21 USA jersey with the captain’s C he wore against the Soviets and the blue jersey worn in the gold-medal game against Finland. He is also selling his stick, gloves, sweat suit, opening ceremonies hat and costume, equipment bag and other mementoes, including his Olympic athlete’s accreditation badge.
"The important thing is that it goes to someone who is as proud to have it as I was to wear it," he said. "And I hope they display it somewhere where people can see it."
He couldn’t find his skates or helmet, which may have been donated earlier. His socks are on display at an Olympic museum in Lake Placid.
What he won’t sell are his gold medal or his championship ring.
Eruzione stopped playing after the Games, but 13 players from the Herb Brooks-coached squad went on to the NHL, including Neal Broten, Ken Morrow, Dave Christian and Mike Ramsey.
He coached for a while, and now works as director of special outreach for Boston U.
Much like Henderson’s historic tally, Eruzione’s goal is replayed regularly on U.S. television, but he rarely thinks about taking the pass in the slot from Mark Pavelich and beating Vladimir Myshkin to give the Americans a decisive 4-3 lead.
"I think about the atmosphere and about spending six months with the greatest guys you’ll ever meet," he said. "We were in a little cocoon.
"We didn’t know the whole country was as excited as they were."
Many athletes have sold off memorabilia in recent years. Last year, a Babe Ruth jersey from the baseball slugger’s first year with the New York Yankees sold for a record $4.4 million.