At the center of a legal battle over tax evasion in his native Finland, former hockey player Esa Tikkanen has decided to auction off four of his five Stanley Cup championship rings.
The Canadian company Classic Auctions is responsible for the sale of these precious objects. The 59-year-old man chose to part with the jewelry celebrating his 1987, 1988 and 1990 conquests with the Edmonton Oilers as well as that of 1994 when he played with the New York Rangers.
• Read also: You will have to give Xhekaj to get Necas
• Read also: Here’s what Ovechkin doesn’t like about the NHL
Teammate of Wayne Gretzky for several seasons, Tikkanen had a great career in North America, collecting 630 points in 877 regular season games. He also lifted the cup with the “Merveille” in 1985, but he gave his champion ring to his father, he told Finnish media MTV Urheilu.
These rings would also have no sentimental value for the ex-attacker. He also explained that he had no financial difficulties and that the decision to turn to auctions had been considered for a long time.
Last year, the New York Post reported that 168,000 euros ($248,000 CAD) in goods were seized from Tikkanen by Finnish authorities, before the decision was overturned.
Charged with aggravated tax fraud before the Länsi-Uusimaa District Court, he was due to appear in court on April 23, but the hearing was postponed to a later date.
For the curious, bidding for each ring started at $5,000. At the time of writing, the Rangers’ latest conquest was the most popular, with $23,000.
