Clarkson Alum Donates $2.2 Million Hockey Stick To Charity

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Gorde Sharpe, a standout hockey player and Captain of Clarkson University's 1984-85 hockey team, sold a hockey stick that had kicked around his basement for 30 years for a record $2.2 million. And then gave the money to charity.

The stick passed down from his great-uncle Melville Rutherford was hand-carved between 1852 and 1856. The Hockey Hall of Fame and others in the collectibles’ industry have authenticated Sharpe’s heirloom as the world's oldest hockey stick.

Sharpe told Pro-Skate.com that he knew the stick was old and had some value. But even he was taken aback when it was appraised at more than $4 million. The stick was on display at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant in Toronto for several years. But recently Sharpe decided to sell it on eBay and donate the proceeds to charity.

The piece of hockey memorabilia fetched 26 bids worldwide, with the winning $2.2 million bid coming from a Canadian who intends to display the stick at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sharpe is donating the proceeds to fanscharity.com and its World Charity Award Program. The goal of the program is to help all charities increase funding, awareness, participation and to education children on the importance of charities.