October Legends Closing October 29
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2016
Named after the New York Rangers' legendary player and coach, the Lester Patrick Award was established in 1966 to honor important contributions to United States hockey. Past winners have included Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr. In 1980, the Lester Patrick Award committee selected the entire 1980 USA hockey team as its recipient. At that time, "Miracle on Ice" member Dave Christian had started his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, where he set a record for the fastest first professional goal ever scored—just 7 seconds after taking the ice!
Christian ultimately played over 1,000 NHL games, racking up more than 300 goals and 400 assists. Offered is his 1980 Lester Patrick Award, consisting of a 9 x 12 inch wood backing with a plaque reading, "THE 1979 LESTER PATRICK AWARD / Presented by the National Hockey League to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. / DAVE CHRISTIAN / March 10, 1980." This displays frontally as EX with a chipped reverse corner and is accompanied by Christian's signed 2016 LOA. It is important to note that Head Coach Herb Brooks' Lester Patrick Award sold at auction in 2015 for over $3,500.