Number 16 can set a new Toronto Maple Leafs record if he scores a point for a 19th consecutive game Saturday night
The record number is 19 but the focus of fans right now is number 16.
As Mitch Marner aims at making history, fans can grab a piece of history in a fundraiser in support of one of the greatest Toronto Maple Leafs in history. There are some real interesting pieces and deals here to be treasured.
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There are the team-worn retro sweaters from Wednesday night’s game with a special shoulder patch that includes a crown and Swedish flag in tribute to the legendary Borje Salming who died last week after a battle with ALS. Each sweater is being auctioned off this weekend with all proceeds going to ALS Action Canada.
Surprisingly, there are some great opportunities for collectors or super fans to get in on — at good prices. The online auction at auctions.realsports.ca runs until Saturday.
The most bid upon game-worn sweater so far is Marner’s Number 16 in a game where he tied a Maple Leafs record for scoring a point in 18 consecutive games. If he a point in the Leafs next game, Saturday night, he will hold the record.
The bids for his jersey have been swift. At deadline the top bid as of Thursday afternoon was just over $15,000. Fellow superstar Auston Matthews’ Number 34 was at more than $12,000.
It’s big money for sure but the cause is a good one.
ALS Action Canada is the country’s “only ALS patient-led nonprofit organization building a movement to ensure urgent, equitable access to promising therapies for Canadians living with ALS; more and better clinical trials for ALS therapies throughout Canada; and increased federal and provincial investment in ALS research.“
Losing Number 21, known as King, was tough for his teammates and the fans who remember him so fondly. The Hockey Hall of Famer was one hell of a hockey player. If you can’t afford five figures for one of these sweaters, there are some more modestly-priced so far that you can take a shot at.
Jordie Benn’s was at $1,100 and Matt Murray’s $1,500 on Thursday afternoon.
The disease that ended Salming’s life at the age of 71 is something that needs all hands on deck to try to find cures for. This is why the Maple Leafs stepped up with this terrific idea – along with selling some cool patches that are on the sweaters from the game against Detroit. These patches are $19.99 on the same Real Sports website and all proceeds will go to the ALS charity.
It’s a terrific initiative in memory of a Toronto icon with the benefit perhaps of helping yourself or someone you love some day who becomes stricken with this debilitating illness.
In the meantime, we will never forget Borje Salming who was one of the nicest people to ever to put on the blue and white sweater.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
