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The sale of Esa Tikkanen's 1994 Stanley Cup ring marked the first time an authentic New York Rangers player ring has ever been sold publicly, achieving a notable $139,444 at Classic Auctions on Tuesday night.

This ring, commemorating the Rangers' first championship in 54 years, held significant value due to its rarity. Tikkanen was a vital part of the team, being one of seven players who scored over 20 goals and accumulated more than 50 points during the season.

The scarcity of this ring added to its allure, as no other authentic Rangers player rings from the 1933 or 1940 championships have been sold. The only comparable item was a commemorative ring given to Cliff Smith in 1990, which sold for $6,600 in 2017.

Tikkanen had previously sold four of his five other Stanley Cup rings, with his 1987 and 1988 Oilers rings fetching $40,388 each and his 1990 Oilers ring selling for $44,428. However, the Rangers ring was considered the true prize due to the team's limited number of championships, having only won three Stanley Cups in their nearly 100-year history.

This sale came just four months after the all-time record for Stanley Cup rings was set. Heritage Auctions sold two of Mike Bossy’s New York Islanders championship rings, with the 1981 ring fetching $228,000 and the 1980 ring selling for $220,000. Previously, the record was held by a 1990 Oilers ring from former owner Peter Pocklington, which Classic Auctions sold for $72,151 in 2009.