Lost Cards: 1985-86 OPC Chris Nilan

  It's surprising that an anglophone American Boston born player would become a fan favourite in Montreal, but Chris Nilan did just that.  "Knuckles" Nilan pounded his way into the hearts of Montreal Canadiens fans during the 1980s.  Often at the center of many a fracas, Nilan patrolled the ice, and manned the penalty box, for 523 games and, a franchise record, 2248 PIM as a Canadien.
  Nilan had a rookie card in the 1983-84 OPC set, and was also part of the 1984-85 OPC set.  When OPC made the decision to cut down its hockey card set from 396 cards to 264, Nilan was one of the causalities, despite setting career highs in goals, points and leading the league in PIM for the second consecutive season.  This how a 1985-86 OPC Chris Nilan card may have looked.

1985-86 OPC #266 Chris Nilan

1985-86 OPC #266 Chris Nilan

Lost Rookies: 1986-87 OPC Gates Orlando

  Gaeteno "Gates" Orlando played parts of three season in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres in the mid 1980s.  Gates was an undersized, 5'8, 180lbs, skilled center whose size and decision to play NCAA hockey over North American junior, let him slip to 164th overall in the 1981 draft.  During his brief NHL career he split time between the Sabres and their farm club, the Rochester Americans.  His team leading 22 points helped the Amerks win the AHL Calder Cup in 1987.  The next season, he crossed the Atlantic to play pro and went on to a successful career in Italy, including representing Italy at two Olympic games.
  In 2011, Gates was diagnosed with a rare heart disease, sarcoidosis.  His heart would eventually give out, but he was saved by the defibrillator vest he was wearing.  On April 4th of 2012, Gates had an artificial heart transplant.  He lived with the artificial heart for over a year until a donor heart could be secured and implanted.  Gates made a full recovery and is, obviously, a big fan of organ donors.  He currently works as a scout for the New Jersey Devils.
  Gates never had a NHL card.  So below is what a 1986-87 OPC Gates Orlando card may have looked.  Quality Gates Orlando Sabres images are in short supply on the internet.  I almost decided against mocking up a card for Gates but you have to give him some love for what he has been through.

1986-87 OPC #267 Gates Orlando (RC)

1986-87 OPC #267 Gates Orlando (RC)

Lost Rookies: 1985-86 OPC Jeff Brubaker

  Jeff Brubaker played 178 career NHL teams.  During those 178 games, he played for seven different teams. After racking up 307 PIM for the Peterborough Petes in junior, Brubaker was drafted by the Boston Bruins, 102th overall in the 1978 draft.  He was courted by the WHA's New England Whalers and would eventually sign with the Whalers during the 1978-79 season.  The Bruins did not exercise their rights to reclaim Brubaker upon the the NHL-WHA merger of 1979.
  Upon entering the NHL, the New England Whalers became the Hartford Whalers.  Brubaker would play three games in 1979-80.  He notched his first career point against the Philadelphia Flyers on in his second career game.  It was an assist on a powerplay goal by Blaine Stoughton.  The following season Brubaker would get his first career goal, January 9th on Eddie Mio of the Edmonton Oilers, and the next night, his first career fight, versus Barry Legge of the Winipeg Jets.
  The following preseason, Brubaker was left unprotected and was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the waiver draft.  Brubaker would only play 5 total games with the Canadiens, but two of those games were play-off games.  In one of those two games, Brubaker helped kick off a 1st period line brawl versus the Quebec Nordiques.  Brubaker would not play again the NHL play-offs.
  Brubaker was once again left unprotected at the waiver draft the following preseason.  This time he was selected by the Calgary Flames.  He played four games with the Flames that season.  As a free agent he signed on with the Provincial rival, Edmonton Oilers.  Only to be once again left unprotected and selected in the waiver draft.  This time, by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1985-86 OPC #269 Jeff Brubaker (RC)

    Brubaker's set career highs across the board during his first season with the Leafs in 1984-85.  He finished ninth in the league with 209 PIM.  Brubaker was unable to follow it up and was placed on waivers by the Leafs after accumulating 0 points and 67 PIM in 21 games.  He was picked up by the Edmonton Oilers.  He injuried his ankle after playing four games with the Oilers.  He wouldn't play another game with the Oilers.
  Brubaker returned the NHL for the 1987-88 season when he was traded to the New York Rangers after a short stint as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers organization.  The next season, after signing with the Detroit Red Wings, would be his last as a professional hockey player.  He played a single game with the Red Wings.
  Brubaker would being his coaching career the following season.  He won the league championship in his first season in the ECHL with the Greensboro Monarch.  At one time, he held the record for most wins by a coach in the ECHL, since surpassed by John Brophy. 
  Brubaker never had a rookie card during his playing days.  There were a few team issued postcards but he never made the cut with O-Pee-Chee.  I figured his best shot would have been the 1985-86 OPC set.  The 1985-86 set was cut down to 264 cards after being 396 cards the previous few years.

1985-86 OPC #269 Jeff Brubaker (RC)