Superfan Sells Massive Collection VIDEO
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. It started almost two decades ago with a $20 hockey stick once wielded by a forgotten player for a string of mediocre teams.
It ends this week when millions of dollars are likely to change hands as what may be the world's largest game worn collection of memorabilia from the world's best player from the sport's last great dynasty goes on the auction block.
Shawn Chaulk, a quick to smile former Newfoundlander whose hoard of everything Wayne Gretzky makes grown men weak in the knees, says it's all been nothing more than an attempt to get closer to the game he loves.
Story continues under gallery.
Shawn http://www.officialhockeysharks.com/Authentic-Patrick-Marleau-Jersey Chaulk poses with his collection of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday April 16, 2013. Chaulk will have a variety of these items for sale at an upcoming auction. Chaulk's Gretzky collection goes on sale in an online auction on Friday.
Rendez Vous '87 game worn Daoust skates owned by Shawn Chaulk along with his collection of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Wayne Gretzky game worn gloves
Wayne Gretzky game worn Jofa helmet.
Wayne Gretzky Heritage Classic worn jersey, skates, glove, toque, wristlet and locker name tag
Wayne Gretzky game http://www.officialhockeysharks.com/Authentic-Joe-Thornton-Jersey worn Jersey from the 1981 82 season
"When you're a fan, fans are usually at a distance," he recently told The Canadian Press in the basement office of his home in Fort McMurray, Alta. The space is a forest of game used Gretzky hockey sticks, a dressing room of game worn Gretzky jerseys and a trainer's bag full of assorted pucks, gloves, helmets and skates all touched, used and sweated in by the Great One himself.
"You love the game. You love the athletes, at a distance. At best, you get to attend an event and see them in person. Again, from a distance. And that's as close as we get.
"This was all to help me get closer to the game."
Just a few items from the hundreds in an online auction, which begins Friday through Montreal's Classic Auctions:
The puck Gretzky shot to score his 500th goal, as well as the jersey and skates he was wearing at the time.
Battle scarred gloves and helmets worn during Stanley Cup victories and regular season tilts that live still in copper and blue hearts.
Skates replete with scuffs and repairs.
Gretzky's early 1980s Oilers Nike track suit.
A No. Joe Thornton M Jersey 99 practice bib.
A Gretzky used equipment bag.
After the giant auction, Chaulk will still own some impressive items that drip with hockey history. He's not selling:
A stick from Gretzky's first pro team, the World Hockey Association's Indianapolis Pacers, on which the equipment manager stamped the name "Gretsky."
The jersey Gretzky wore during the entire 1981 82 season in which, as an Edmonton Oiler, he compiled more than 200 points and broke Phil Esposito's scoring record of 77 goals in Patrick Marleau XL Jersey one season.
Replica Stanley Cups once owned by former Oilers owner Peter Pocklington, much reviled for trading Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in August 1988.
The jersey Gretzky wore the infamous night in April 1986, when, in a division final against arch rival Calgary Flames, Steve Smith scored on his own net to eliminate the Oilers from the playoffs.
Although he's played sports all his life, Chaulk, 45, didn't grow up as the kid with the biggest bag of marbles on the block. He didn't start collecting anything until he was in his 20s and then it involved golf.
Chaulk had read an article about Arnold Palmer, which included a chat with the golf legend's secretary.
"She talked about how once a week she opens all his mail from fans, lays out all his autograph requests and he signs them and she sends them off," Chaulk recalled. "I thought, 'Wow.'"
He wrote to the magazine which forwarded the letter to Palmer, who, in due course, returned a signed autograph. Chaulk thought it was great and, when he thinks something is great, he doesn't hold back.