Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2025
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/24/2025
Not every player leaves a lasting legacy with goals or trophies. Some change the game in more
profound ways. In a league that often prided itself on silence, one voice broke it, and that voice
belonged to a young man from Nigeria by way of Ukraine and Toronto. Akim Aliu’s impact on the
sport of hockey wasn’t measured solely by his games played, but by his courage to speak up
when others couldn’t. Before becoming a symbol of change off the ice, Aliu fought for every
opportunity on it. Drafted in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007, his path to
the NHL was anything but smooth. He worked through the ranks of the AHL and ECHL,
weathering setbacks and challenges, until finally getting the call to the Calgary Flames in
2011–12. He would go on to appear in just seven NHL games, making any artifact from his
time at the top level a rare piece of hockey history.
This third jersey from the 2012–13 season was worn by Aliu in one of those precious few
games. Tagged as a size "56", it features the Reebok logo stitched into the reverse neckline and
the NHL shield on the front collar. The Flames crest dominates the chest, scarred with a large
stick mark earned in battle. Aside from this, wear is light on the jersey. Number "29" is stitched in
white over yellow tackle twill on both sleeves and across the back, with "ALIU" spelled out on a
red nameplate in matching style. Inside, a fight strap remains firmly affixed, while a team patch is heat-pressed to the interior hem, officially marking the jersey as game-worn. A team LOA will accompany.
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