Hockey collectors cherish mementos graced by some of hockey’s biggest icons. Some memorabilia costs more than others, though, including these high-profile collectibles from across hockey history.

A Mickey Mantle No. 311 baseball card sold for $12.6 million in August 2022, making it the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold. And while hockey might not have the same obsession with collecting as baseball, there have been some hefty pricetags for hockey items, too.

Usually, these items earn value based on their relationship with a famous player. Anything even touched by Wayne Gretzky can earn a pretty penny, let alone classic icons such as Gordie Howe or Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard.

But sometimes, these items also come from historic events — Canada’s 1972 Summit Series win or the 1980 Miracle on Ice. A player’s first and last anything tends to raise the price tag significantly, such as Wayne Gretzky’s final Oilers jersey that sold for $1.45 million in June 2022. Worn in the 1988 NHL playoffs, Gretzky took off a champagne-soaked sweater after hoisting the Stanley Cup – his last with the team before management traded him to the Kings in the off-season.

With that in mind, here are some other headliners in the hockey memorabilia market, including jerseys, cards and equipment made famous by hockey’s stars.

1979 Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card

The most expensive hockey card ever sold, Heritage Auctions moved this iconic card for a record-setting $3.75 million in 2021. One of two Gretzky rookie cards, the O-Pee-Chee version was sold in Canada and is generally valued more than a similar Topps card sold in the United States.

What made this specific card special was its rare quality. Hundreds of these cards were printed, but just two are Gem Mint 10s – the highest distinction from PSA. Technically not one-of-a-kind, but it’s still one of the most rare prints in history.

1970-71 Gordie Howe Red Wings jersey

Just two years after a 103-point season, ‘Mr. Hockey’ hung up his skates for the final time – or so people thought. Two years later, he signed with Houston of the WHA and soon became the oldest ever to play in the NHL.

That hasn’t diminished the value of those final Winged Wheel sweaters that Howe donned. An original and signed game-worn jersey from his final Detroit season sold for more than $70,000 at auction. Not bad to own a piece of hockey’s Mt. Rushmore.

1972 Paul Henderson Summit Series Jersey

The exploits of Canada’s 1972 Summit Series team against the Soviet Union are well-documented – especially the series-deciding comeback in Game 8’s third period. Paul Henderson fired the winning goal with 34 seconds on the clock and simultaneously etched his name into the annals of hockey heroes.

Fans might have to pull some financial heroics themselves if they want to own a piece of his performance. Henderson’s jersey from Game 8 sold for $1.275 million in 2010, then a hockey (and possibly a general sports) record.

2021 Hilary Knight Dream Gap Tour Jersey

Few American players have been as talented as Hilary Knight. Her 101 career points lead IIHF women’s World Championship history. She’s a force in women’s professional hockey, winning three league championships to go alongside her two NCAA national titles. Knight also advocates for women’s hockey in general, as she did during the PWHPA’s Dream Gap Tour.

Her 2021 autographed Dream Gap jersey may be one of the most expensive in women’s hockey history, netting $1,925 just over a week after the game concluded. With her surefire resumé for the Hockey Hall of Fame, that figure could steeply climb over time.

1980 Jim Craig Goalie Mask

Seeking to set up financial help for his grandchildren, U.S. Olympian Jim Craig made a decision that most folks couldn’t fathom. Famous for backstopping the 1980 Miracle on Ice team to the gold medal, he put 19 items from that historic tournament up for sale – including his gold medal.

The medal didn’t reach his reserve price — higher than $600,000 and more than triple the value of two previously sold medals. But his goalie mask did, netting a cool $137,849.16. Those better be some grateful grandkids.

2008 Sidney Crosby Winter Classic Jersey

In the NHL’s first Winter Classic, Sidney Crosby pulled off a magical moment. In a cascade of Buffalo snow, the Pittsburgh captain sent 71,000 freezing fans home with an ice-cold five-hole shootout goal.

That move not only won the game, but it set the tone for what Winter Classic games have become since then. Aspiring collectors can get their hands on an authentic, autographed Crosby Winter Classic jersey for around $3,000 – snow not included.

2017 Connor McDavid All-Star Game Stick

When he made the 2017 All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Connor McDavid was well on his way to winning his first Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. The first of six appearances in his career, McDavid notched a handful of points in the 3-on-3 tournament and won the fastest skater competition for his first of three consecutive wins.

One of McDavid’s signed sticks from that event is still up for sale, with a whopping $1,799 asking price. That’s a $1,500 price jump just because McDavid bothered to touch the stick, which shows the gravity of his star power.

1997-98 Hayley Wickenheiser Olympic Card

Hayley Wickenheiser is synonymous with women’s hockey. With 11 gold medals and multiple MVP awards, few players have inspired the next generation of hockey players like the now-Toronto assistant GM paved the way for thousands of women across the world.

Wickenheiser made her first Olympic team in 1998, leaving Nagano with a silver medal in what continued a lengthy rivalry with gold-winning Team USA. Owning a Gem Mint 10 card from Wickenheiser’s appearance puts collectors back $1,299.

2022-23 Connor Bedard Regina Pats Signed Puck

The easiest way to grab a cheaper piece of memorabilia is to snag it early in a player’s career. That’s the case with this signed Connor Bedard puck from the WHL’s Regina Pats, up for sale before the NHL’s top prospect has even skated in a game for the Chicago Blackhawks.

This piece isn't as eye-popping as the other items at just $299 Cdn., but it's more of an investment. Because like the other items on this list, that value could skyrocket later in his career if Bedard lives up to the hype. Will it reach the extremes of Craig’s goalie mask or Gretzky’s Oilers jersey? Probably not, but that’s the allure of a good collection.