Rick Vaive Game Worn Jersey 1978-79 Birmingham Bulls – COA 100% Authentic Team

Description

After 51 and 76 goal seasons with the Sherbrooke Beavers, Rick Vaive made the jump from junior hockey to the WHA’s Birmingham Bulls, joining the likes of Goulet, Riggin, Ramage, Hartsburg and Gingras who were christened the “baby bulls” because of their young age. Vaive’s 59 points (26 goals) in ’78-79 led the team, a point ahead of Michel Goulet. Rick’s blue mesh road jersey has a faded Russell Athletic tag in the neck. The Bulls logo and the white and red striping on the sleeves and at the waist are screened-on while the numbers on the back and sleeves are heat-pressed. “Vaive” is sewn onto a long blue mesh nameplate. Nice game wear with half a dozen stick/slash marks on the front, a few more on each sleeve and a 2-inch rip at the seam of the left cuff. Jersey is in great shape with no holes and was worn by a future NHL 441-goal scorer. The provenance indicates that this jersey originated from Rick Vaive.

Notes from the authentication paperwork via Spirit of the Game (dropthepuck): Everything about the item is original by the team without alterations. It’s a Russell Athletic mesh [size] 48. It originated from Rick Vaive’s collection. All the identifiers are heat pressed with the exception being the name which was sewn on white tackle twill “VAIVE”. There are great stick marks with burns and scrapes. The cuff ends are cut 2″. There’s no fight strap inside.

After a stellar junior hockey career with the Sherbrooke Castors, Rick Vaive began his professional career in 1978-79 in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Birmingham Bulls, with whom he signed as an underage free agent. He was part of a contingent of young players who were nicknamed the “Baby Bulls”, a group which also included Michel Goulet, Craig Hartsburg, Keith Crowder, Gaston Gingras and Pat Riggin. Following the NHL-WHA merger at the end of the season, these youngsters were declared eligible for the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, and Vaive was selected fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks. 

Notes from the Spirit of the Game Authentication:

Authentication: 100% Authentic Team

Rick Vaive Game Worn Jersey