Will Seippel | September 14, 2023

Phil Pritchard (left) and I as we go over the collection of personal items that once belonged to hockey player Johnny Gottselig.
Phil Pritchard (left) and I as we go over the collection of personal items that once belonged to hockey player Johnny Gottselig.

“Our life is only as good as our past, and if people preserve the past, we can learn from that in some way,” said Philip Pritchard—Vice President and curator at the Hockey Hall of Fame—early in our recent conversation about a collection of personal documents and memorabilia from Russian-born hockey athlete Johannes “Johnny” Gottselig that I’ve come into possession of.

While going over Gottselig’s remarkable personal items—such as old photographs, NHL schedules and record books, and even his wallet—Phil and I discussed the athlete’s incredible hockey career but also his significant role in forming the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (A League of Their Own, anyone?).

But Phil and I agreed that preserving one’s memories and history is arguably even more valuable. As collectors, we both love looking through what belonged to something and seeing what was important to them.

“In life, I think everyone has some great memories, and being able to preserve them somewhere, I think it’s really important,” Phil expressed.

Watch our entire conversation here.


Will Seippel is the CEO and founder of WorthPoint®, the world’s largest provider of information about art, antiques, and collectibles. Individuals and organizations use WorthPoint, an Inc. 500 Company, to seek credible valuations on everything from cameras to coins. WorthPoint counts the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the IRS among its clients.