Former Oiler Esa Tikkanen forced to sell Stanley Cup ring after legal trouble

PUBLICATION

Tyler Ball
June 1, 2024 (9:19)

SHARE THIS STORY

Former Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers forward Esa Tikkanen is in the news for selling several of his Stanley Cup rings to fund a legal battle he faces.

The Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s were a powerhouse with Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Esa Tikkanen as well. During his time in the NHL Esa Tikkanen won 5 Stanley Cups. The first four with the Edmonton Oilers and the final one with the New York Rangers.

Today a new report has confirmed that Esa Tikkanen now owns only his first Stanley Cup ring after all of those efforts. He has sold the others to fund a tax fraud court battle.

Tikkanen is auctioning off four of his five championship rings (keeping his first championship ring from 1985).

Despite the speculation that Esa Tikkanen sold his Stanley Cup rings due to the legal trouble he now denies it. He says this is something he had been considering for a long time and it is unrelated to his current situation.

Tikkanen has been in the public eye for his tax fraud charges in recent years. Tikkas is accused of aggravated tax fraud in the district court of Länsi-Uusimaa. According to MTV Urheilu, the main hearing of the case was scheduled for April 23, but it has been postponed, and there is no new date yet.

Is this settlement somehow related to your indictment for aggravated tax fraud? Have there been any financial challenges?

- In no way. This has been thought about for a little longer.

While Esa Tikkanen no longer has his Stanley Cup rings no one will ever be able to take away his incredible accomplishments. He will remain one of the most decorated Finnish players in the history of the NHL and a beloved player in Edmonton.

Source: Markerzone - Esa Tikkanen forced to sell Stanley Cup Ring due to criminal battle