Eruzione looks to break Henderson jersey mark

Dallas (CP) — U.S. Olympic hockey hero Mike Eruzione is hoping to top Paul Henderson’s record for the world’s most expensive hockey jersey.

Inspired by the $1.275 million sale of the sweater Henderson wore while scoring the winning goal at the 1972 Summit Series, Eruzione is auctioning off his Miracle On Ice jersey and other equipment from the American upset victory at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.

The former Boston University star scored the winning goal in the semifinal against the powerhouse Soviet Union before the squad of mostly unknown college players won gold with a victory over Finland in the final.

Dallas-based Heritage Auctions=has a US$350,000 bid for the jersey on its website. Internet bidding ends Feb. 22.

The 58-year-old said some of the proceeds will go to his charity, the Winthrop Foundation, but mostly he wants to provide for his three children and his grandchildren.

“I heard Paul Henderson’s jersey went for $1.2 million and I said to my wife ’We better get the equipment out of the attic,”’ Eruzione said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “Financially, things are fine.

“I’m not doing this for the wrong reasons. I have three kids and a two-monthold grandson and I’d like to secure their future.”

At auction are the white No. 21 USA jersey with the captain’s C he wore against the Soviets and the blue jersey worn in the gold-medal game against Finland. He is also selling his stick, gloves, sweat suit, opening ceremonies hat and costume, equipment bag and other mementoes, including his Olympic athlete’s accreditation badge.

He couldn’t find his skates or helmet, which may have been donated earlier. His socks are on display at an Olympic museum in Lake Placid.

What he won’t sell are his gold medal or his championship ring.

Eruzione stopped playing after the Games, but 13 players from the Herb Brooks-coached squad went on to the NHL, including Neal Broten, Ken Morrow, Dave Christian and Mike Ramsey.

He coached for a while, and now works as director of special outreach for Boston University.