It looks weird. There’s no other way to put it. Seeing #99 in those aggressive mid-90s Blues diagonal stripes feels like a glitch in the simulation. Most people picture Wayne Gretzky in the iconic oil-drop blue of Edmonton or the "Silver and Black" of LA. Maybe even the Statue of Liberty jersey from his New York sunset.
But for exactly 31 games in 1996, the Great One called Missouri home.
The Wayne Gretzky St Louis Blues jersey isn't just a piece of sports apparel; it’s a physical manifestation of one of the strangest "what-if" scenarios in NHL history. It was a fever dream that lasted less than three months. Yet, if you walk into the Enterprise Center today, you’ll still see fans rocking that specific #99.
Why? Because the brevity makes it cool. It’s the "Deep Cut" of hockey jerseys.
The 80-Day Rental: What Really Happened
On February 27, 1996, the hockey world melted down. The Los Angeles Kings traded Wayne Gretzky to the St. Louis Blues for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, and a couple of draft picks. St. Louis basically gave up a handful of magic beans to get the best player to ever lace them up.
The goal was simple: Pair Gretzky with his old buddy Brett Hull and win a Cup.
It almost worked. Honestly, they were a double-overtime Game 7 goal away from the Western Conference Finals. Gretzky put up 21 points in 18 regular-season games and another 16 points in 13 playoff games. He wasn't "washed" by any stretch. He was still the smartest guy on the ice.
Then, Mike Keenan happened.
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Keenan, the coach known as "Iron Mike," had a legendary ego. He and Gretzky clashed almost immediately. There are stories of Keenan berating Gretzky in front of the team—which is like yelling at the Mona Lisa for having a smudged frame. By July, the "verbal agreement" for a three-year contract extension was gone. Keenan reportedly rescinded the offer, and Gretzky walked.
He signed with the Rangers, and the Wayne Gretzky St Louis Blues jersey became an instant relic.
Design Madness: The "Cool Cat" and the Diagonal Stripes
If you’re looking to buy one of these, you have to understand the era. The mid-90s were a wild time for NHL jersey design. Teams were ditching traditional blocks for "extreme" graphics.
The 1995-96 Blues jersey featured:
- Bright red accents (which many fans hated at the time).
- Dramatic diagonal stripes on the bottom and sleeves.
- The "Trumpet" shoulder patches.
- Bold, slanted numbering.
This specific aesthetic is why the Wayne Gretzky St Louis Blues jersey is so polarizing. It’s loud. It’s very "1996." But because Gretzky only wore it during that specific window, an authentic CCM or Starter version from that year is a massive find for collectors.
Spotting a Real Deal vs. a Knockoff
You’ve gotta be careful on eBay.
Most of what you see today are Mitchell & Ness "Power Play" reissues. These are high-quality, licensed replicas. They look great, they feel heavy, and they’re perfect for wearing to a game. They usually retail around $225 to $300.
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However, if you want a "true" vintage piece from 1996, you're looking for the CCM "Big Block" or Starter brand tags. Look at the stitching. On the real 1996 on-ice versions, the name and numbers weren't just heat-pressed; they were "zigzag" stitched. If the crest feels like a thin plastic sticker, run away.
The Market Value of 99 in Blue
Price-wise, this jersey is all over the map.
A basic, modern replica will set you back about $150. A high-end Mitchell & Ness throwback is closer to $250. But if you’re looking for the "Holy Grail"—an autographed, Upper Deck authenticated CCM vintage jersey—you’re looking at $3,500 to $4,000.
Back in 2024, a game-worn Gretzky Blues jersey (photomatched to six games including the playoffs) hit the auction block at Sotheby’s. It’s one of only seven known to exist. That’s "buy a new car" kind of money.
Why Fans Still Care
You might think St. Louis fans would be bitter. The trade failed. The superstar left. The coach blew it.
But it's actually the opposite.
That short stint gave the city a sense of legitimacy it hadn't felt in years. For 80 days, the center of the hockey universe was St. Louis. Wearing a Wayne Gretzky St Louis Blues jersey is a way of saying, "I remember when the greatest player alive wore our Note."
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It’s a conversation starter. You can't wear one without someone coming up to talk about the Steve Yzerman goal in 1996 or how Mike Keenan ruined everything. It’s sports trauma and pride woven into polyester.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you're ready to add this to your closet, don't just click the first link you see.
- Check the Brand: If you want "era-accurate," look for CCM or Starter. If you want "best for wearing," go Mitchell & Ness.
- Inspect the "C": Gretzky was the captain during his stint. A proper jersey should have the "C" on the left chest.
- Verify the Colors: The 1996 jersey had a specific "Royal Blue." Some cheap knockoffs use a navy blue that looks way too dark.
- Avoid "Custom" Fakes: Many sellers take a blank 90s jersey and slap "Gretzky 99" on it with cheap lettering. Check if the font matches the slanted, blocky style of the mid-90s Blues.
The Gretzky era in St. Louis was a "blink and you'll miss it" moment. But the jersey? That’s forever. It remains a loud, striped, beautiful mistake that every hockey fan secretly wants in their collection.
Authenticity Tip: When buying "Game Worn" memorabilia, always insist on a Letter of Authenticity (LOA) from a reputable source like MeiGray or a photomatch from a known archive. Without a photomatch, it’s just an expensive shirt.
Maintenance: If you land a vintage 1996 Starter or CCM, never, ever put it in the dryer. The heat will ruin the glue on the crest and cause the shoulder patches to wrinkle. Wash it cold, inside out, and hang it to dry like a prized possession.
Historical Context: If you want to see the jersey in action, look up the 1996 Western Conference Semifinals against Detroit. It's some of the best—and most heartbreaking—hockey ever played in that sweater.