Brett Hull St. Louis Blues 1993 ‘Division Semfinals Clinching’ Game Worn Jersey | Signed and Inscribed | 2 Goals | 1 Assist

Sotheby’s is proud to present Brett Hull’s 1993 ‘Division Semi-Finals Clinching’ game worn St. Louis Blues jersey. Hull signed and inscribed “92-93 Game Worn Playoffs” on the number 6. “Official St Louis Blues 2nd Set 1992-93 Season” is stamped on the inside of the jersey in blue ink.

The jersey has been photomatched by Sports Investors Authentication to Game 4 of the Division Semi-Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 25, 1993 at the St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, MO. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-3 in an overtime thriller, sweeping the series four games to none, but not without a bit of controversy. Hull scored two goals and assisted on an additional goal in regulation, however, what makes this jersey so special is Hull’s crucial appearance in the overtime period.

With just over nine minutes remaining in the overtime period, as Chicago worked to corral the puck behind Ed Belfour’s net, Hull cut off the Blackhawks goaltender, knocking him to the ice, leaving the net momentarily exposed. As the puck bounced around, Blues center Craig Janney intercepted it and took advantage of the clearing, firing a mid-range shot toward the net. Belfour quickly jumped to his feet, unfortunately, it was too late as the puck breezed by his outstretched arm. Blues players, coaches, and fans jumped to their feet. St. Louis had just upset the Blackhawks in the opening round of the 1992-93 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Believing he had been interfered with by Hull, a clearly frustrated Belfour immediately threw his hands in the air and skated over to referee Rob Shick, expressing his displeasure at the events that just unfolded. As Blues players embraced each other and skated around the ice in celebration, Belfour slammed his stick against the goal frame multiple times before launching it across the ice in a fit of frustration. Despite the unrest by Belfour, the goal stood. Balfour even went as far as refusing the traditional postgame handshake. He would continue his tirade as he made his way into the locker room, where he reportedly destroyed a television and a hot tub.

Chicago became only the second division champion in NHL history to be swept in the opening round of play since 1987 (when the NHL moved the opening round to a best of 7 series). Unfortunately, the Blues would fall in the second round of the playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

This jersey has also been photomatched by SIA to two undated photos during the 1992-93 NHL season. Hull appeared in 80 games during the 1992-93 season, scoring 54 goals and recording 47 assists. His performance earned him a spot in the NHL All-Star Game.

This lot is accompanied by a letter from JSA in regards to the signature. The lot also includes a BlueNote Authentics letter from the St. Louis Blues guaranteeing the jersey to be authentic and genuine,  and a Certificate of Registration from the MeiGray Group. 

This lot also includes one photograph and two oversized trading cards featuring Hull, as well as a ticket dated March 25, 1994 in which Hull scored a hat-trick against the Dallas Stars.

Going Deeper - Teammates

Just a few years after the controversial screen in the opening round of the 1993 NHL Playoffs, Brett Hull and Ed Belfour found themselves on the same rink, this time as teammates on the Dallas Stars. Belfour appeared in 61 during the regular season, posting a 35-15 record and a .915 save percentage. The 1998-99 season wasn't Hull’s most productive (he played in only 60 regular season games), but he still managed to lead the league in game-winning goals with 11. That year, Hull and Belfour helped bring the city of Dallas its first Stanley Cup. Hull scored the championship-winning goal in triple overtime against the Buffalo Sabres, a goal as controversial as the 1993 screen, famously dubbed the “No Goal” by Sabres fans. The following season, Hull and Belfour once again led the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately fell to the New Jersey Devils in six games.

Both were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: Hull in 2009, and Belfour in 2011.