What appears to have been a typical vehicle break-in at the parking lot of a St. Catharines golf club has netted thieves some irreplaceable pieces of hockey history.

Sometime on Friday morning, thieves broke into the vehicle of former National Hockey League great Pete Mahovlich and stole his Stanley Cup ring, a 1972 Canada Cup ring, and a Hockey Hall of Fame watch.

Niagara Regional police told CTV.ca, there are no suspects so far. But they suggested whoever stole the items may not know their significance or true sentimental value.

Staff Sgt. Chris Scotland said Saturday morning that most items taken during break-and-enter robberies are quickly pawned off.

In this case, the thieves may have already sold the items, even before realizing they had stolen priceless pieces of hockey history, he said.

"They might not have a clue as to what they may want to pawn off," he said.

Scotland said that Mahovlich was visiting the Niagara Falls region for a tournament at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.

The break-in occurred "sometime before 8 a.m." on Friday morning, when someone bashed the driver's side window of Mahovlich's car. The rings and watch were apparently in the vehicle's cup-holder, he said.

Scotland said police could get a break in the case once news of the thefts spreads -- and the thieves become aware of the exact nature of the stolen property.

"It all depends if they get scared of what they've done," Scotland said.
"Because it's a high profile situation, (the items) could turn up randomly."

Scotland said the department's criminal investigations and street crimes divisions are on the case.

Mahovlich was a part of four Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Montreal Canadiens. One of the stolen rings has the numbers 71, 73, 76, and 77 inscribed on it to mark the cup-winning years.

Mahovlich was also a high-profile member of the 1972 Canada Cup team. That team won its final three games, giving Canada a historic win over the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War.