Local Gretzky fan believes thieves specifically targeted his collection
To say it’s been an emotional few days is an understatement for Aron Gratias.
He recently discovered a massive Wayne Gretzky and hockey memorabilia collection he has accumulated over the last 40-plus years was stolen from a storage container on a farm near Shellbrook sometime after February 11.
“This collection is priceless. There are a lot of items in there that were addressed to me – personally signed for me. They have signed pictures of me with Gretzky, holding the Stanley Cup and a picture of my family all wearing Gretzky jerseys signed. That stuff is irreplaceable,” Gratias said.
Among other items taken were large pictures and paintings, all with serial numbers, sticks, pucks in display cases that were also autographed, and close to 10,000 hockey cards; 2,200 of which were of Gretzky alone. Some were autographed. There was a framed Gretzky rookie card PSA 8, 1979 Mattel dolls still in boxes, figurines, plates, helmets, masks, and skates among many other things. Autographed Sidney Crosby memorabilia was also taken, along with Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton jerseys.