Is 'Oldest Hockey Stick' Worth $1 Million?

Quebec seller thinks so

From the Canwest News Service:

A Quebec man has put up for auction - at $1 million U.S. - a hockey stick that he claims is the oldest in the world.

The stick went up on eBay at 7 p.m. ET Monday and those interested in purchasing it will have to deposit $10,000 US just to be able to place a bid in the 10-day auction. Unsuccessful bidders will have their money refunded.

Bobby Rouillard - a sports collector and son of a Quebec City antique dealer - says the hockey stick sheds new light on the early origins of the game but Canadian sports historians aren't so sure. They expressed doubts about the stick, insisting the oldest existing hockey sticks were carved in the 1850s.

Rouillard, 35, said he was hoping to list the stick for a 30-day period but had to settle for 10. He says he won't be disappointed and will keep it in his collection if the stick isn't sold.

According to a carbon-dating laboratory in California, where samples of the stick were sent for analysis, the artifact is made of yellow birch or cherry wood dated between 1633 and 1666. The analysis showed the stick was carved in one piece.

Two hours after the item went up on eBay there was yet to be a bid. While the stick comes with a price tag, shipping is listed as free.