Bobby Hull jersey part of history for Chicago family

CHICAGO (AP) — When Joe Serpico closes his eyes, he can go right back to that day in 1961.

Serpico's big Italian family gathered for cake and coffee for his 10th birthday. On a table full of presents, there was one unwrapped Wieboldt's department store box from uncle Jerry "The Barber" Del Giudice — a pair of game-worn jerseys from Chicago Blackhawks stars Bobby Hull and Glenn Hall — a moment of pure joy that stayed with Serpico forever.

"I knew their birthdays, I knew these guys, this was my whole life, was hockey," he said, "and at 10 years old to get a gift coming from the two of them was phenomenal."

Serpico, born and raised in Chicago, grew up, got married and had five children with his wife Linda, four girls and one boy. The jerseys went along for the ride, tucked away for safe keeping. But that changes this weekend, when bidding on the signed Hull jersey comes to an end as part of Heritage Auctions' Platinum Night Auction.

Serpico, 66, wore the Hull jersey when he touched the Stanley Cup a couple years ago — a surprise present from one of his daughters — and something changed.

"That was on my bucket list," he said, "and I feel like, maybe I could share it with somebody else. I hope it ends up in the right hands. I don't know. ... I'm having a hard time letting it go."

Source: Yahoo News