Maple Leafs Legend Darryl Sittler Reunited with Historic 10-Point Game Jersey After 50 Years
Toronto Maple Leafs great Darryl Sittler has worn countless sweaters throughout his illustrious career—from his playing days to alumni friendlies and numerous charity photo opportunities. However, one particular jersey, separated from its famous owner for nearly half a century, has now made a triumphant return, fitting like a perfect 10.
A Long-Lost Treasure Resurfaces
For decades, Sittler believed the white base, blue trim Ballard-era home jersey he wore during his NHL-record 10-point game in 1976 was either lost or hidden away in a private collection. The magical night at Maple Leaf Gardens, where Sittler scored six goals and added four assists against the Boston Bruins, remained a cherished memory without its most tangible artifact.
That changed in 2018 when the jersey unexpectedly surfaced in a warehouse in New Jersey. Two devoted Maple Leafs supporters and close friends of Sittler—Mark Shapiro, a lawyer with Dickinson-Wright, and Joey Arfin, founder of the Jadaco Group—took immediate action. They tracked the jersey to an auction in the United States and successfully placed a winning bid of approximately $200,000, just in time for the 50th anniversary of Sittler's historic achievement.
The Friendship Behind the Acquisition
Shapiro and Arfin, both born in North York, have developed a close friendship with Sittler and his wife, Luba, over the years. Arfin first connected with Sittler through charitable donations to the MLSE Foundation, which led to a dinner with the club ambassador. Shapiro met Sittler when the hockey legend surprised him at his 50th birthday party in downtown Toronto.
"When your hero also becomes your friend—and turns out to be the most gracious of people—it's amazing," Arfin remarked. "Darryl meets thousands of people, poses for so many pictures, and yet makes every one of them feel important. Darryl's era is my era; he was captain of my favourite team."
Shapiro echoed this sentiment, adding, "You hear stories that your childhood idols might turn out to be jerks, but Darryl is unbelievable—everything good you've read about him, a real mensch."
The Journey of the Jersey
After Sittler's record-setting performance, the jersey embarked on a mysterious journey. Game-worn jerseys were not as meticulously preserved in that era, with players typically issued only a couple each season. Rumours swirled that bombastic Leafs owner Harold Ballard might have given it to a prominent ticket scalper at Maple Leaf Gardens. For 42 years, the jersey remained missing, with no memorabilia merchants or collectors approaching Sittler about its whereabouts.
The breakthrough came when New York-based sports aggregator Barry Meisel discovered the sweater in a major collection he acquired around 2017. Although it was not initially authenticated, Meisel recognized its potential historical significance. He brought it to the Hockey Hall of Fame's Resource Centre in Toronto, where staff matched archival photos from the 10-point game—confirming its authenticity through details like a slightly crooked Leafs crest and a white blemish.
"We had the sweater a while, then made a private sale to an anonymous collector," Meisel explained. "I believe it was about $125,000 US, and that person put it up for auction last year. We're delighted it's going to a good home now, and everyone can enjoy seeing it. I'm sure Darryl is happy it's not going to stay in someone's closet."
The Auction and Emotional Reunion
Los Angeles-based Grey Flannel Auctions announced the jersey would be put on the block in May of last year. Arfin and Shapiro prepared meticulously, setting a budget, getting accredited for the auction, and keeping their involvement discreet. The starting price was $10,000, but it quintupled in just one day, with 29 total bids placed.
"We had to be 10% higher than the last bid," Arfin recalled. "We had a hard ceiling and were very conscious we were bidding in U.S. dollars, which were fluctuating all the time." Their winning bid closed at $143,030, but they faced an agonizing two-hour wait to ensure no rival bidders re-entered the fray.
After insuring the jersey for double its purchase price and arranging secure transport to Toronto, Shapiro and Arfin presented it to Sittler. "Seeing it was an emotional experience for all of us," Sittler shared. The 75-year-old legend will proudly wear the now-retired No. 27 jersey with its captain's 'C' during a ceremony at Scotiabank Arena, scheduled for the Leafs' last home game before the actual 50-year anniversary on February 7.
Future Plans for the Historic Artifact
While the jersey currently belongs to Arfin and Shapiro, all three men hope to collaborate with the Maple Leafs on future public displays, allowing fans to see the historic artifact up close. "Reuniting Darryl with it is the best thing we can do for now," Shapiro said. "I'm just happy he gets to wear it again."
Sittler expressed his gratitude and nostalgia, reflecting on the significance of the reunion. "I began to think of the bigger picture, that fans could celebrate it and I could wear it again," he said. "It's such a unique jersey and adds so much more flavour to the story. It's the right time. I'm honoured the guys did this for me."
