This home blue wool sweater by Milwaukee Sporting Goods, a company based out of Toronto Ontario, was worn by Hall of Famer Ted “Teeder” Kennedy during the 1946-47 NHL season. Kennedy would help lead Toronto to 5 Stanley Cups over his 13 year career, all spent with the Maple Leafs. In addition to the 5 Cups, Teeder won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 1955 and was 3 times a 2nd Team NHL All Star at Center. In 1948 Kennedy was bestowed the honour of Team Captaincy, a title he held for 8 seasons until his retirement.  

The 1946-47 season was a Stanley Cup winner for the Leafs, in what would be their first of 3 straight and 5 over a 7 year period when the Leafs dominated the NHL. Teeder was the leader of those clubs and it is likely that he wore this very sweater throughout that amazing 1946-47 Stanley Cup winning season, which was also the first for baby faced Bill Barilko. Kennedy led all Leafs scorers in 1946-47 in goals, assists and points. He also led the Leafs in playoff scoring during the Cup run.    

Found on the inside seam remains a perfectly sewn Milwaukee Sporting Goods manufacting tag. This tremendous piece of NHL history remains well preserved. The fantastic old time Toronto Maple Leafs crest remains sewn perfectly and without flaw to the center of the chest. Teeder’s old school felt #9 remains sewn to the back. This sweater undoubtedly saw extensive ice time, as evidenced by the trainers needle and wool thread work. A number of sleeve repairs were obviously reopened during the fierce original 6 on ice wars of the 1940’s and had to be restitched. A silver dollar size hole on the left elbow remains as evidence with the repair work having lost the battle to on ice wear. All told we count approximately 3 dozen fabulous team-sewn wool repairs found throughout the body and sleeves of this Hall of Fame sweater. Also worthy of mention are some minor unrepaired holes or small runs scattered about this lovely old time sweater. Now over 60-years-old, this may well be the earliest Teeder Kennedy jersey to ever come to auction. This is a major grail for many true Maple Leafs fans as well as hockey historians. A simply awesome gamer.