Session 2 Online Only is Now Open - Ends June 21st (Lots 44-95)

Lot #95:

Stick Signed by 14 Ranger Hall of Famers

This stick was bought at Doug Lauries in Maple Leaf Gardens. One of the ushers as a favor had many players from the Rangers sign stick. It is a vintage replica stick. The New York Rangers finished in second place during the 1957-58 season. During the 1958-59 season the team led by future Hall of Famers Andy Bathgate, Harry Howell, Bill Gadsby and goaltender Gump Worsley were comfortably in a playoff spot for most of the season. On March 14, 1959, prior to a home and home series with the Leafs, the Rangers were 3 points out of 3rd place and 5 out of 2nd. They were also 7 points ahead of Toronto with both teams having only 5 games left. But the Rangers lost both games to move the Leafs to within 3 points with 3 games left. The erratic coach Phil Watson then worked the Rangers to exhaustion but by the last weekend of the season, they still had a one-point lead with the two weekend games left. Rangers won on the Saturday but lost the Sunday game. Leafs won both games and made the playoffs on the last night of the season at the expense of the Rangers. It was one of the biggest collapses in NHL history. This hockey stick has been signed by 14 players off that Ranger team as well as coach ‘Fiery’ Phil Watson, the scout Jack Humphreys and trainer Frank Paice. Four players are honoured members of the Hockey Hall of Fame – Andy Bathgate, Harry Howell, Bill Gadsby and Gump Worsley as well as a young Eddie Shack. And, there are very rare autographs of players such as Les Colwill, Jack Bownass and John Hanna as well as veteran NHL players Red Sullivan, Dean Prentice, Camille Henry, Lou Fontinato, Andy Hebenton and Earl Ingarfield. Quite a list of hockey personalities on a team well remembered – if not for right reasons.