Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
1977-78 Winnipeg Jets Avco World Trophy
Presented is a commemorative, smaller version of the World Hockey Association Avco World Trophy, the WHA's championship award that was won by the Winnipeg Jets in 1977-78. The Winnipeg Jets were in the World Hockey Association from 1972-73 through 1978-79. In that time period, the team won three Avco Trophies, also known as Avco World Cups. The Avco name derives from the Aviation Company, a defense contractor that paid to sponsor the trophy. The 1977-78 team had a regular season record of 50-28-2. In the play-offs, the Jets defeated the Birmingham Bulls 4-1 in the Quarter-final Series and then beat the New England Whalers 4-0 in the Championship Series to win the cup. In this championship season, the Jets had an offensive powerhouse, with an amazing four players scoring over 100 points: Ulf Nilsson, center, had 37 goals and 89 assists for 126 points; Anders Hedberg, right wing, had 63 goals and 59 assists for 122 points; Bobby Hull, left wing, at 39 years old had 46 goals and 71 assists for 117 points; Kent Nilsson, center, had 42 goals and 65 assists for 107 points. Edward "Terrible Ted" Green was on defense, adding muscle and fighting intimidation, and scoring 4 goals with 22 assists for 26 points. Gary Bromley and Joe Daley split the goalkeeping, each averaging 3.30 GGA. One side of the metal cup has a plaque (measuring approx. 2.25x3.75") reading, "The Avco World Trophy." A smaller plaque under that reads, "Howard Baldwin/president/World Hockey Association." The other side of the trophy has a plaque (approx. 3.5x5") that reads, "Presented to the Winnipeg Jets/World Champions/1977-78." The cup is 12.5" tall, and it has a diameter at its base of 4.5". Above the main stem of the cup is a nearly 2" section that shows a stylistic "World" globe seeming to float in space. Above that section is a cup that is 4" in diameter. The plaque on the trophy lists 37 names, including that of coach Larry Hillman, and all the players on the team. There is a manufacturer's tag attached on the underside of the base that shows "Balfour" as the manufacturer. The trophy shows tarnishing and places where paint and patina have worn off. In some spots, the dark coloring of the engraving has worn off, such as in the word AVCO." The trophy also has a few small scratches. Overall, in view of the rather typical defects caused by aging, the trophy is in very good condition. The AVCO Trophy was intended to become the Stanley Cup of the World Hockey Association. This trophy was obtained directly from Howard Baldwin, whose name is on the trophy as the President of the WHA, a film producer who was a founding member of the WHAs New England Whalers and a part owner of the Whalers when they joined the NHL as the Hartford Whalers. To have a commemorative replica version of a major professional league's championship trophy, with Hall of Famer Bobby Hull's name on it, is a prize for any sports collection.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
1930's Burris Jenkins "King Kong" Hockey Original Art (20x20")
1930’s – 1940’s Boston Bruins Photograph Collection (39)
John Finnigan’s 1940’s NHL Scrapbook Collection (6)
1941-42 EHL Baltimore Orioles Hockey Club Jacket
1967 Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Final Game Program & Tickets (18x18”)
1930’s Howie Morenz Matchbook Covers (3)
1971-72 Gordie Howe Red Wings Stroh’s Schedule Display (17x21”)