Bill Masterton was the first player signed by the North Stars. He later would score the first goal in franchise history, while wearing this actual jersey, on the road in the first game in St. Louis.
Bill remains the only NHL player to die from an on-ice injury. In memory of this, one of the NHL's major awards is given each year in his name to the player that most embodies the spirit of perseverance in hockey.
Masterton sustained his fatal injury in his 38th game of the North Stars inaugural season. No North Stars player wore the #19 after Masterton, and the the number was subsequently the first that the franchise would officially retire.
This was done in 1987.
Because of the injury and the subsequent likely destruction of the green #19 jersey Bill was wearing when we was being tended to by medics and taken to the hospital, this white jersey was pulled from circulation and not sent on with the rest of the 67-68 set when (I am told) that that entire set was de-crested and recycled to another team. That means that we think that this is the lone surviving intact inaugural season North Stars regular season jersey.
Masterton's very unique 67 preseason-style North Stars jerseys both still exist. The white preseason jersey is in our collection as well, while the green resides with the collection of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, since Bill is from Winnipeg.
Bill remains the only NHL player to die from an on-ice injury. In memory of this, one of the NHL's major awards is given each year in his name to the player that most embodies the spirit of perseverance in hockey.
Masterton sustained his fatal injury in his 38th game of the North Stars inaugural season. No North Stars player wore the #19 after Masterton, and the the number was subsequently the first that the franchise would officially retire.
This was done in 1987.
Because of the injury and the subsequent likely destruction of the green #19 jersey Bill was wearing when we was being tended to by medics and taken to the hospital, this white jersey was pulled from circulation and not sent on with the rest of the 67-68 set when (I am told) that that entire set was de-crested and recycled to another team. That means that we think that this is the lone surviving intact inaugural season North Stars regular season jersey.
Masterton's very unique 67 preseason-style North Stars jerseys both still exist. The white preseason jersey is in our collection as well, while the green resides with the collection of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, since Bill is from Winnipeg.