HHOF-NHL-MGG enter historic jersey agreement suited for the fans

The jersey worn by Mark Messier to score his 1,851st career NHL point and surpass Gordie Howe for second place on the league's all-time point-scoring chart.

The Hockey Hall of Fame and the National Hockey League-MeiGray Group Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program have entered into a working agreement that will enable visitors to the Hall to view some of the game's most current historic memorabilia … virtually moments after the milestones occur.

According to the agreement, the NHL-MGG Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program will monitor league events, secure milestone game-worn jerseys from teams participating in the Program and promptly deliver them to the Hall ensuring that hockey fans can view these pieces of history almost as soon as they happen. "The Hockey Hall of Fame considers itself the premier hockey collector in the world," said Phil Pritchard, the Hall of Fame's vice president, hockey operations and curator. "And thanks to the cooperation of the NHL and MeiGray, we can say that for years to come. We are proud that among the three organizations we can provide the fans artifacts from the past, present and the future."

Brian Jennings, group vice president, consumer products marketing, NHL said, "The NHL is always respectful of our game's great tradition and loyal fans. This agreement with the Hockey Hall of Fame allows us to share history with our fans as it happens, and bring them even closer to the game."

Barry Meisel, group president/COO, MeiGray Group said, "It is an honor and a responsibility we welcome and take very seriously. The importance of preserving hockey's great heritage cannot be understated. It's exciting to be able to play a part of the process that will enable fans in North America and visitors from around the globe to see the most current artifacts of the game's great history as soon as these historic events occur."

Recently, several historic events occurred in the NHL that the NHL-MGG Game-Worn Authentication Program, through this agreement, was able to share with the fans:

On November 4 at Madison Square Garden, Mark Messier scored an empty-net goal to cap the New York Rangers' 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars. In addition to sealing a victory that goal gave Messier 1,851 career points lifting him past Gordie Howe into second place on the NHL's all-time scoring list, behind Wayne Gretzky.

Within minutes of the final buzzer, one of the three jerseys Messier wore in the game, NHL-MGG Authentication Program inventory number B06094, was secured by Rangers equipment manager Acacio Marques. It was authenticated by the NHL-MGG program and within days, arrived at the Hall of Fame.

On October 9 in the Gaylord Entertainment Center, Jordin Tootoo of the Nashville Predators became the first Inuit to play in the NHL. As soon as the game ended, the navy No. 55 jersey Tootoo wore when he made his NHL debut, NHL-MGG Authentication Program inventory number B04849, was confirmed and authenticated by the program and Predators equipment manager Pete Rogers. The jersey then was preserved and shipped directly to the Hall of Fame in Toronto.

"We pride ourselves on being current," Pritchard said. "With jerseys like Mark Messier's and Jordin Tootoo's, the Hockey Hall of Fame will be able to provide the most up-to-date hockey displays in the world. Besides the NHL and MeiGray, a special thanks has to go to the players and the equipment managers, who help make the displays and exhibits great."

For more information, please contact:

Brian Walker
NHL, Corporate Communications
(212) 789-2171
bwalker@nhl.com