Published 17 Nov 2024 at 10.04am Updated at 10.34am
A Wayne Gretzky shirt worth over four million kroner is up for grabs.
It belongs to Swedish hockey legend Kenta Nilsson – and he knows who has it.
– I have spoken to him. He knows the shirt is stolen but doesn’t want to give it back, says Nilsson.
Kenta Nilsson at the Sports Gala.
Photo: HENRIC WAUGE / SPA
Nilsson in the Tre Kronor costume.
Photo: PETER KRÜGER / BILDBYRÅN
The jersey that has gone missing originally belonged to Wayne Gretzky.
Photo: LIAM RICHARDS / AP CP
Canada Cup 1984.
Canada has just defeated Sweden 5-4 in the final. Afterwards, two future Edmonton Oilers teammates exchange jerseys.
Kenta Nilsson, 68, keeps his prized possession with the world’s best hockey player’s name on the back safe at home.
Much later, on his way to Marbella, he reads something in a Canadian newspaper that catches his attention.
– There was a guy who collected Gretzky stuff who bought a Canada Cup jersey from 1984. I knew there was only one such jersey, and I have it. Then I went home and then it was gone. That’s how I discovered it. It was a shock. I knew exactly where it was at home and then it was gone.
It was ten years ago. The shirt that was stolen from Kenta Nilsson’s home was first sold to southern Sweden before it was sent from there to Canada.
– I know who has it, I have spoken to him. He knows it’s stolen but he doesn’t want to give it back. It’s very sad. He wants his money back. He paid a lot for it, around $40,000 I think.
Valued at SEK 4.3 million
It is worth considerably more than that today. According to the Toronto Sun, the shirt is valued at $400,000, just over SEK 4.3 million.
The newspaper has been in contact with Wayne Gretzky who says he would like to give Nilsson a new shirt.
– But the only one I have is in the hockey Hall of Fame now. I wish I had one for him. I hope the police find it, says the 63-year-old.
Nilsson is in constant contact with Canadian police who claim to have found a suspect.
When the police knocked on the suspect’s door, they were not allowed to enter. When they returned with a house search, the shirt could not be found.
“It is very special”
Nilsson therefore does not have particularly good hopes of recovering the treasure.
– I think it will be very difficult. I have seen pictures in his office where it is on the wall and when the police were there he had removed it. I don’t know what kind of person it is.
Not thought about buying it back?
– No, why would I buy back a shirt that is mine and has been stolen? What use is it to him when it is stolen? What will he do with it? He can’t sell it now.
Kenta Nilsson says that the shirt means a lot to him.
– It does. Gretzky is the world’s best player of all time. Not many people get to change jerseys with him on the ice. It is very special.
The Case of the Stolen Wayne Gretzky Jersey: More Drama Than a Soap Opera
Ah, the beloved jersey of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky! Worth over four million kroner and shrouded in more twists than a pretzel factory — if only it came with its own reality TV show! This isn’t just a tale of a missing sweater; it’s a gripping saga involving Swedish hockey legend Kenta Nilsson, a wealthy collector, and a police investigation that sounds like it was cooked up by the writers of a bad detective novel.
My, What a Sweater!
First, let’s chat about Kenta Nilsson. This guy isn’t just any old hockey player; he’s a Swedish icon, and apparently, he’s got a Gretzky jersey that’s putting some serious dollars on the table — a princely sum of $400,000! That’s right, $400,000! With that kind of cash, you could buy a small island and name it after your favorite snack. But I digress.
So, what happened to this cherished shirt? Kenta thought he had it tucked away safely, probably alongside some IKEA furniture that he didn’t assemble correctly. But then, poof! It vanished into thin air. Imagine his surprise when he discovers it’s taken a little road trip to southern Sweden before jetting off to Canada — a true international caper!
The Thief Who Wouldn’t Return a Shirt
Now, according to Nilsson, he knows exactly who has his shirt — a collector who’s about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. This guy allegedly knows the jersey is stolen but refuses to return it. I mean, really? It’s like inviting someone over for tea and they decide to take your biscuits with them! Nilsson claims that this “gentleman” wants his money back because he shelled out around $40,000 — talk about a case of buyer’s remorse!
Now, you might wonder if Nilsson has considered a buy-back to retrieve his property. Spoiler alert: Nope! And can you blame him? What use is it to wear a stolen jersey? Unless you’re planning to walk into a hockey game and just shout, “Look at me! I’m the thief now!” an ex-stolen Gretzky shirt isn’t going to do you any favours.
Even Wayne Landed Into the Mix
But here’s where it gets even more Canadian: Wayne Gretzky himself has chimed in! He’s offered to give Nilsson a replacement jersey. Unfortunately, it’s currently hanging out in the Hockey Hall of Fame, presumably partying with other retired jerseys — “Yeah, we’ve been taken off the ice, but we’re still fabulous!”
Gretzky said, “I wish I had one for him.” But can you see him rummaging through the Hall, saying, “Let’s see… which one has that ‘Grab a can of maple syrup’ charm?”
The Police and Their Cozy Chat
Nilsson has been in contact with the Canadian police, who, let’s be honest, have had more luck finding a needle in a haystack. At one point, they knocked on the suspect’s door — think of it like a slapstick comedy routine, but without the laugh track. They were denied entry! So, they had to come back with a search warrant, only to find… you guessed it, the jersey was as elusive as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The suspect clearly took this whole “hide the shirt” game seriously.
The Sentimental Value
In the end, it’s not just about the money. Nilsson cherishes this jersey because it represents a moment in sports history and his own personal victories. As he puts it, “Not many people get to change jerseys with the world’s best player.” It’s not just stitched fabric; it’s a memory, a legacy, and all the more special since it went missing faster than a kid at a candy store.
So here’s hoping for the day Kenta resets that jersey and gets back a piece of history, preferably without it needing a police escort. Until then, let’s all be a little extra careful with our priceless memorabilia. Because if a hockey shirt can go missing, just think what might happen to that signed David Beckham jersey hanging in your living room!
Published 17 Nov 2024 at 10.04am Updated at 10.34am
A highly coveted Wayne Gretzky jersey, appraised at over four million kronor, has surfaced in the headlines.
This iconic piece of sports memorabilia is owned by the esteemed Swedish hockey figure, Kenta Nilsson, who is well aware of its current whereabouts.
– I have spoken to the individual who possesses it. He is aware that the shirt is stolen, yet he refuses to return it, reveals Nilsson with a hint of disappointment.
Kenta Nilsson recently made an appearance at the prestigious Sports Gala.
Photo: HENRIC WAUGE / SPA
Nilsson was proudly donned in the Tre Kronor costume during the event.
Photo: PETER KRÜGER / BILDBYRÅN
This missing jersey is none other than the one originally worn by Wayne Gretzky himself.
Photo: LIAM RICHARDS / AP CP
The jersey holds historical significance from the 1984 Canada Cup, where Canada triumphed over Sweden in a thrilling 5-4 finish. Following the match, two future Edmonton Oilers teammates exchanged jerseys, a moment that would forever be etched in hockey history.
Kenta Nilsson, now 68 years old, treasures this cherished item featuring the name of the world’s greatest hockey player on the back and keeps it securely at home.
Years later, while traveling to Marbella, Nilsson came across an intriguing article in a Canadian newspaper that alarmed him.
– There was an article about a collector of Gretzky memorabilia who had purchased a Canada Cup jersey from 1984. I immediately recognized that there was only one such jersey, and it was in my possession. To my horror, upon returning home, I discovered it was missing. I knew precisely where I had kept it, and then it vanished, he recounted, still in disbelief.
This shocking discovery occurred a decade ago when Kenta Nilsson’s beloved jersey was first sold in southern Sweden before making its way to Canada.
– I know who the current owner is; I’ve had a conversation with him. He acknowledges it’s stolen, yet he’s not inclined to return it. It’s disheartening. He is more concerned about recouping his investment. He reportedly paid around $40,000 for it, which is considerably more than its current worth.
Valued at SEK 4.3 million
Today, the jersey is valued at a staggering $400,000, translating to just over SEK 4.3 million.
According to the Toronto Sun, the newspaper has reached out to Wayne Gretzky, who expressed his desire to provide Nilsson with a replacement jersey.
– Unfortunately, the only jersey I have is currently housed in the Hockey Hall of Fame. I truly wish I had a spare for him. I sincerely hope the authorities are able to recover it, stated the 63-year-old Gretzky.
Nilsson has been in regular communication with the Canadian police, who have made progress in identifying a suspect.
However, when officers attempted to engage with the suspect, they were met with resistance, ultimately leading to a search warrant being issued. Unfortunately, during the search, the coveted jersey was nowhere to be found.
“It is very special”
As a result, Nilsson’s hopes of retrieving this invaluable treasure remain dim.
– I fear it will be a challenging endeavor. I have seen images of it displayed in his office, but during the police visit, it had mysteriously been removed. I can only speculate about the character of the person in question.
Not thought about buying it back?
– No, why should I pay for a shirt that rightfully belongs to me and has been unlawfully taken? What purpose does it serve him to keep it? He can’t sell it now without revealing its dubious past.
Kenta Nilsson articulates the emotional weight the jersey carries for him.
– It holds immense significance for me. Gretzky is hailed as the greatest player in the history of the sport. Few individuals are fortunate enough to engage in a jersey exchange with him on the ice. This experience is incredibly special.
What is the significance of Kenta Nilsson’s Wayne Gretzky jersey in the context of hockey history?
Et=”_blank” href=”https://www.hockeyhalloffame.com/”>Hockey Hall of Fame
Honestly, this whole saga reads like a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. The thought of a treasured jersey, a symbol of athletic history, being caught in a web of theft and value disputes is more dramatic than any sports movie you could watch. For Kenta Nilsson, the jersey represents not just a connection to Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest players ever but also a key moment in his own hockey journey. To have that taken away—and to confront the moral ambiguity of someone who knowingly possesses stolen property—is a heavy burden to bear.
As the investigation continues, one can only hope that Nilsson will eventually find closure, either through the return of his cherished jersey or through a rekindling of the memories it embodies. Until then, we keep our fingers crossed that law enforcement will find a way to retrieve it, ensuring that Kenta’s history, and indeed hockey history itself, is preserved and respected.
While the drama continues to unfold, we must all take heed: keep your memorabilia secure—because you never know when a Gretzky jersey might disappear and go on an unexpected adventure!