Montreal police contacted the federation Monday night after recovering what they believe is the sweater worn by Sidney Crosby in Team Canada's 6-1 victory over Russia in the gold-medal game at the world junior hockey championships in Grand Forks, N.D.
Hockey Canada provided police with details that distinguish authentic team sweaters from retail versions available in stores.
"The indications we have now is that it is the jersey in question," pointed out Hockey Canada high-performance director Denis Hainault. "We are ecstatic that we might have Sidney's jersey back."
Sidney Crosby's sweater may have been found. (CP Photo/Adrian Wyld)
Crosby, from Cole Harbour, N.S., was delighted to hear the news.
"He's very happy," said Pat Brisson, Crosby's agent.
"He said to me: 'I'm thrilled to hear it. But I'm anxious to actually see it.'"
Crosby, 17, was reduced to tears upon learning his cherished sweater was missing.
"It's tough," he said, noting that he put the sweater in his hockey bag before boarding the team bus for Winnipeg and a plane flight to Mont-Joli, Que., where he rejoined the QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic.
Crosby's plane had a brief stopover at Montreal's Trudeau Airport before reaching Mont-Joli, where he noticed the sweater was missing.
Air Canada immediately launched an internal investigation.
"You play in the best series and win and it's a symbol for sure. It's something you want to keep, something you want to have."
Each player wore two sweaters in the tournament.
They were permitted to keep the red ones, while the white ones, used in two games, are being auctioned off for charity.
Crosby's white sweater, worn in victories over Finland and Sweden, had received a bid of $20,000 before Hockey Canada removed it from the online auction.
Backup goaltender Rejean Beauchemin is still missing the puck he kept a puck from his lone start of the tournament, a 9-0 win over Germany.
The Winnipeg native noticed the puck was missing from his bag before boarding a flight at Winnipeg Airport.
with files from CP Online
