Gretzky jersey big bids

On the ice, nobody could touch him. On the auction block, Wayne Gretzky
still leaves his rivals far behind.

With just three days to go in an EBay auction of Heritage Classic game
jerseys worn by some of the biggest names in hockey, bids are soaring.

One of the Great One's blue and orange Oilers game sweaters will end up
being sold for $17,655 US to an unnamed collector, if last night's standing
bid holds until the auction ends Thursday.

"It'll go higher," said one local sports memorabilia trader yesterday.
"Gretzky is God in this town."

Heritage Classic project manager Nick Wilson said the fact that Gretzky
publicly indicated he'll never pull on another Oilers jersey is probably
driving the bidding frenzy.

"It makes that article more significant to the collector. It makes it
magic," he said.

More magic, at least, than anything else worn by members of the Oiler and
Montreal Canadiens MegaStars squads on Nov. 22. Gretzky's closest rival in
price is, no surprise, Mark Messier - someone's offering $3,000 for his
sweater.

Guy Lafleur, one of the greatest players ever to wear Habs colours, drew a
$2,500 bid for his jersey last night. "Lafleur signs a lot of stuff, and
that might be driving the price down," said Robert Pon, owner of the Stars
and Rookies memorabilia shop, 10631 51 Ave.

"But Wayne signs tons of stuff too, he's really accessible. I think he's
getting the big price because people still love him - a standup guy, you
know?

"Messier's really tough, I hear. Doesn't sign anything. He'll blow right
past you while you're holding out the pen."

Someone put a bid of $1,325 on Grant Fuhr's jersey. Jari Kurri's was going
for $1,500, Paul Coffey's for $1,424.99, Larry Robinson's for $1,225, Guy
Lapointe's for $765, and Marty McSorley's for $585.

No one from the auction service could be reached. Wilson said some portion
of the proceeds will be going to charity, and the Oilers and Canadiens teams
will also profit from the sale.

Each of the game sweaters was signed by the player and "authenticated" with
an identity chip sewn into the fabric.

The auction site describes Gretzky's sweater in loving detail, from the size
(56) to the snow-stains on the hips - even the mark where the butt of
Gretzky's stick rubbed against the team crest.