Bill Barilko hockey stick on auction 74 years after Maple Leaf legend’s Stanley Cup-winning OT goal
The hockey world is abuzz with excitement as a rare piece of sports memorabilia goes up for auction. A hockey stick believed to have been owned and signed by Bill Barilko, the legendary Toronto Maple Leafs player who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime in 1951, is now available for bidding.
Miller and Miller Auctions, a reputable auction house based in New Hamburg, Ont., is overseeing the sale of this “game-issued” wooden stick from the 1950-51 season. The stick bears the number “5,” which was Barilko’s jersey number that season, indicating that it was issued specifically to him. Barilko, known for his aggressive play on the ice, was a beloved figure in Toronto during his five seasons with the Maple Leafs.
The goal that immortalized Barilko in hockey history occurred during Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens on April 21, 1951, securing the Maple Leafs their fourth Stanley Cup in five years. Tragically, this would be Barilko’s final goal, as he perished in a plane crash later that summer while on a fishing trip to James Bay. His body was not discovered until six weeks after the crash, inspiring the iconic Tragically Hip song “Fifty-Mission Cap.”
Benjamin Pernfuss, the consignment director at Miller and Miller, describes the stick as a “unique find” that exudes a palpable sense of history. The stick shows signs of game use, with tape and wear that align with Barilko’s style. It also features the name Love & Bennett, the supplier of hockey sticks to the Maple Leafs at the time.
According to Miller and Miller Auctions, the stick was reportedly gifted to the owner of a cottage in northern Ontario who hosted Leaf players during the off-season after their Stanley Cup victory. In addition to Barilko’s signature, the stick also bears the autographs of other members of the 1951 team, including Turk Broda, Ted Kennedy, and Harry Watson.
The auction house estimates that the stick could fetch between $3,000 and $5,000, but Pernfuss acknowledges that its rarity could drive the price much higher. With limited Barilko memorabilia available, this stick represents a significant and sought-after piece of hockey history.
As bidding closes on Sunday evening, collectors and hockey enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to own a piece of Maple Leafs history. The legacy of Bill Barilko lives on through this iconic piece of sports memorabilia, offering fans a tangible connection to a bygone era of hockey greatness.
