Jersey from Wayne Gretzky's final game sells for astronomical price at auction

On April 18th, 1999, Gretzky took to the ice at Madison Square Garden against the Pittsburgh Penguins and recorded a second period assist as the Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime. Prior to puck drop, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that they will be retiring Gretzky's number 99 league-wide beginning immediately.

A jersey Gretzky wore during his final game in the NHL was recently put up for auction by Grey Flannel Auctions and it just sold for an astronomical price.

According to Grey Flannel Auctions, the final price on Gretzky's final game jersey was $595,933 after 21 bids were made, with the starting bid being set at $50,000. Once the buyer's premium came into account, the jersey was officially sold for $715,120.

The sale of Gretzky's uniform is now the highest price a US-based hockey jersey has sold for, surpassing Mike Eruzione's Miracle On Ice sweater that sold for $657,250 back in 2013. Only two jerseys in hockey history have ever sold for more than $1 million, Gretzky's final jersey with the Oilers ($1.452 million) and Paul Henderson's jersey from the 1972 Summit Series ($1.275 million).

Source: Bleacher Report