While several Edmonton Oilers players are trying to win their first Stanley Cup ring, Esa Tikkanen has chosen to give up his.
The 59-year-old Finn won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers between 1985 and 1990, in addition to another with the New York Rangers in 1994.
The Oilers are trying to obtain their first Stanley Cup since the one won by Tikkanen, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri and company in 1990.
Tikkanen has decided to auction three of his four Stanley Cup rings from the Oilers, in addition to the one acquired with the Rangers.
However, he chose to keep the first one he got, with the Oilers in 1985.
“The first one I gave to my dad, because I told him, starting my career in the NHL, that ‘if I win the Stanley Cup, then you will get the first (ring)’, and I don’t “I’ll never sell it,” Tikkanen said in a telephone interview from Finland on Monday.
The auction, which ends June 25, reached US$28,000 for the Rangers’ 1994 championship ring, while the value of the Oilers’ rings ranged between $11,000 and $16,000 each as of Monday.
Tikkanen said he stores his rings in his toiletry bag, and mentioned that his children don’t want them. Tikkanen added that he is comfortable with the idea of giving up four of his five Stanley Cup rings.
Tikkanen began his NHL career during the playoffs in 1985. He announced his retirement after 14 seasons in 1999.