‘Heirloom’ Habs hockey sweater made in 1965 was stolen — the family’s pleading for its return

Pete Lee’s cherished knitted sweater-jacket featuring the Montreal Canadiens logo on the back and Rocket’s No. 9 on the sleeves may not have been a high-priced item, but its sentimental value is beyond measure. Unfortunately, this beloved garment was recently stolen from the locker room at Goodlife Fitness in London, Ont., where Lee frequents for workouts.

The 78-year-old Lee reported the theft to the gym, but despite efforts to locate it, the jacket remains missing. The sweater-jacket, knitted in 1965 by a family friend and gifted to Lee’s late brother, holds a special place in his heart. “It was special to my brother because it was a birthday present, and after he died, it was special to me,” Lee expressed. The empty hanger in his closet serves as a constant reminder of the void left by the stolen jacket.

The intricate design of the Habs logo on the sweater-jacket was a custom creation by Lee himself, as there was no pattern available at the time of its making. Inspired by hockey legend Maurice Richard, whose No. 9 adorns the sleeves of the jacket, the garment is truly one-of-a-kind. The white sweater with the red and blue Habs logo never fails to attract attention and spark conversations wherever Lee goes.

Despite its uniqueness, the family is hopeful that the stolen jacket will resurface. They are scouring social media sales pages and contacting second-hand clothing stores in the hopes of finding it. “It was a family heirloom, and I have so many memories of it. But I see now that it could be worth some money,” Lee’s daughter, Sharla Lee Thompson, reflected.

In an ideal scenario, the stolen jacket would be returned to the locker room at Goodlife Fitness, with no questions asked by Lee. He is even willing to offer a reward for its safe return, emphasizing that its sentimental value far outweighs any monetary gain it may bring. “Maybe someone’s conscience will keep them awake at night. I just want my sweater back,” Lee expressed with a sense of longing.

The Lee family remains optimistic that their beloved sweater-jacket will be reunited with them soon, bringing an end to this unfortunate episode. The unique design, sentimental value, and irreplaceable memories associated with this garment make its recovery all the more significant.