Lost Pages: 1984-85 OPC #397-405

  Another 9 pocket page has been completed, this time for the 1984-85 OPC set.  This set was the only one OPC used head portraits on the front for hockey.  Certainly a classic set.  It was also the start of the Lost Rookies and Cards posts, which has become the focus of this blog.  Bob Mason was the inaugural Lost Rookie, although it was originally part of The Forgotten blog posts.   The Forgotten were posts that looked at goalies or players who only played a few games or never got a card during their careers.  The Forgotten eventually changed to the Lost Cards and focused on creating custom cards.
  The other highlight for me from this Lost Page is Frank Caprice.  Through TTM and the custom card I sent him, I was able to score an interview with him.  It's one of two interviews I was able to do with ex-NHLers for this blog.

1984-85 OPC #397-405 Lost Cards

  All of the Lost Cards I made for this set have been Lost Rookies, with the exception of Pelle Lindbergh.  Pelle was outplayed by rookie Bob Froese and was skipped over by OPC for the 1984-85 set.

1984-85 OPC #397-405 Lost Cards

Here's the checklist and links to the posts for each Lost Card featured above

397 - Bob Mason (RC)

398 - Pelle Lingbergh

399 - Frank Caprice (RC)

400 - Michel Petit (RC)

401 - Marc Behrend (RC)

402 - Marty McSorley (RC)

403 - Dave Richter (RC)

404 - Ken Daneyko (RC)

405 - Claude Loiselle (RC)

  Although looking into the Lost Cards of 1984-85 OPC set, I realized there was a Lost "Lost Card" from the 1984-85 OPC set.  

The Lost Lost Rookie - 1984-85 OPC #400 Tim Hunter (RC)

  In 2016, I switched computers.  I had previously backed-up all my files but did not failed to update my back-ups.  So I figure I lost about a year of files, which includes the Lost Rookie of Tim Hunter.

  Reader feedback time.  If you could add one of the Lost Cards above to the original 1984-85 set, which one would be your choice?  Also, is there a player who was omitted from the 1984-85 set that you would vote in?

Lost Cards: 1988-89 OPC Pat Riggin

  Pat Riggin was a Baby Bull.  In 1978 the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA in desperate need for players, and players on the cheap, signed six junior age players to their roster.  It was the final season of the WHA and the Bulls were not one of the teams to merge into the NHL.  The six junior players they signed would all be available in the NHL Entry draft, since no team held their rights.
  Riggin was the first goalie drafted in the 1979 NHL Entry draft, at 33rd overall to the Atlanta Flames.  Riggin played 25 games in his rookie season and also racked up a pair of shutouts, while playing behind Dan Bouchard (Lost Cards).  It was Riggin's only season in Atlanta, but not his final as a Flame.  The Flames struggled in the standings and financially, and the franchise was sold for a then record $16 million in 1980.  The new owners moved the team to Calgary and OPC responded by with a dreadful airbrush treatment of the entire team, colouring over the Flames logo on each card.  Riggin never got a card in the 80-81 set, so below is a card of Riggin as an Atlanta Flame.

1980-81 OPC Pat Riggin

  It did not take long for Riggin to takeover as the #1 goalie in Calgary.  He played 42 games in 1980-81 and helped the team make the Stanley Cup semi-finals.  He received a rookie card in the 198-82 set and although his card did not need it, he was part of my 1981-82 Goalie Reboot project. The following season Riggin played in 54 games, but the team was swept in three games in the first round of the play-offs by the Vancouver Canucks.  On draft day 1982, the Flames made a pair of deals to improve their crease.  They acquired two time All-Star Don Edwards (and previous Lost Card recipient) from the Sabres, and also traded Riggin to the Washington Capitals.
  The Capitals were going through a changeover themselves.  Riggin joined the team as the franchise began to focus on defence.  It paid off for Riggin as he led the league in GAA, 2.67, and shutouts, 4, in the 1983-84 season and also shared the William J Jennings trophy with creasemate Al Jensen.  Riggin was a Second Team All-Star and finished third in Vezina voting.  The following season, Riggin finished second in the league in GAA, 2.98.  With the exception of injuries, Riggin and Jensen were goalies 1A and 1B for the Capitals.  Riggin did end up on the short end of the cards, as Jensen was featured in the 1983-84 set but Riggin was left out.  Here's a 83-84 of Riggin for the Riggin fans.

1983-84 OPC Pat Riggin

  Although the Capitals played well and climbed the standings each season, they could not beat the New York Islanders in the play-offs.  They lost to the Islanders in three straight seasons, winning only 4 of the 14 playoffs games played between 1983 and 1985.  After bowing out in the 1985 play-offs, Riggin joined Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships, where he helped the team win a Silver medal.  In his first game, they defeated the U.S.A. and Riggin made some comments that were regarded anti-American.  In particular, he said he was "sick and tired of Americans coming to the NHL and taking our jobs."  Not the wisest of rants for a goalie playing in America's national capital and on a team that rostered the most American players in the league, including team captain, and two-time Norris winner, Rod Langway.  Riggin acknowledged the controversy in pre-season and stated "I am going to have to get off to an excellent start to get the fans behind me again."  Riggin did not get off to an excellent start.  In 7 games, he went 2-3-1, with a 3.75 GAA and a .826 save percent.  He was traded to the Boston Bruins for Pete Peeters.  OPC was not to press yet and Riggin got a "Now With..." card in the 1985-86 set.  His last card during his career.
  Riggin had a decent season in Boston but his stats fell a bit after leaving the defensive-centric Capitals.  Although he was the main starter throughout the year, he was benched in favour of rookie Bill Ranford after a game one loss in the play-offs.  The following season, Riggin found himself as the odd man out as the Bruins went with Ranford and Doug Keans (a previous Lost Rookie) between the pipes.  Somehow OPC must have seen the writing on the wall as Keans got a card in the 1986-87 set, but Riggin did not.  So in my quest to be the favourite blog of Pat Riggin fans, here's right to that wrong.

1986-87 OPC Pat Riggin

  As mentioned, Riggin found himself as the odd man out in Boston, and soon found himself out of Boston.  After being sent to the AHL, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February of 1987 for goalie Roberto Romano.  Riggin played two seasons with the Penguins, posting respectable numbers, considering he played with the Penguins in the 80s.  Over two seasons, Riggin played 39 games, was 15-14-7 and had a 3.65 GAA.   Riggin was never able to takeover as the #1 goalie and was sent down to the AHL in Januray of 1988.  Riggin never returned to the NHL and retired at the end of the season.
  I have read that Riggin burned too many bridges while playing in the NHL, but the anti-american comment is only bridge I can find burned.  He was one of the top goalies in the mid-80s but put up average numbers outside Washington.  Riggin became a race horse trainer after retiring.  I previously had a TTM success with Riggin.  And now I present a Lost Card of Pat Riggin, a 1988-89 OPC.
  Hold on a sec.  I just noticed something about the stick.  Riggin uses a Wally goalie stick for the majority of his career, which you can see in the pictures above.  While he was in Pittsburgh, there are pictures of him using the Wally, but also pictures of the Louisville.  Also, the Penguins jersey made a minor change for the 1987-88 season, which was changing the collar on home jersey from black to gold.  You can compare the slight difference to this picture.  So based on the stick and jersey, I know I can find an actual picture from his final NHL season and thus best suited for the 88-89 card, although I would have preferred a higher res picture.  The original picture I was using, with Riggin in the black away photo, just looks older.  As well, the helmet looks different in the pictures, but the helmet used in his 87-88 OPC looks the same as the picture of Riggin in a home jersey with the black collar.  Although I could just ignore the difference and still used the older picture on the 1988-89 design.  OPC themselves often used, or reused, older pictures.
  So after a bit of editing, I made yet another Pat Riggin Card.  So including the 1981-82 reboot card, that's six I have done for Riggin.  I think I deserve an honorary spot in the Pat Riggin fan club by now.   So here's a 87-88 OPC and then the lost card of the 1988-89 OPC.  Do You think I made the right call in switching the pictures?

1987-88 OPC Pat Riggin

1988-89 OPC #271 Pat Riggin

1988-89 OPC #271 Pat Riggin

Lost Cards: 1987-88 OPC Richard Sevigny

  Richard Sevigny was a Stanley Cup Champ even before playing a NHL game.  Drafted 124th overall, in the 7th round by the Montreal Canadiens in 1977, Sevigny was called upon to dress as an emergency back-up for game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals in 1979.  Michel Larocque was scheduled to start but was hit in the head with a slapshot during the pregame warm-ups.  Ken Dryden started the game, and Sevigny dressed as the back-up for that night.  Larocque only missed a single game and Sevigny didn't dress again during the Finals.  His ride on the pine was enough for Sevigny to get his name engraved on the Stanely Cup as the Canadiens beat the New York Rangers in five games.
  Sevigny played his first NHL game on November, 13, 1979, a 5-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues.  Sevigny was called-up and pressed into action after starters Larocque and Denis Herron were injured on back-to-back days.  The following season, Sevigny became part of history.  It was the final season that the Vezina trophy was awarded to the team with the lowest goals against, instead of a voted-on best goalie in the league.  Sevigny shared the trophy with teammates Denis Heron and Michel Larocque, as all three qualified by playing at least 25 games for the Canadiens.  Including the William Jennings trophy, which is now awarded to lowest goals against, it is the only time three teammates shared the award.  For his part, Sevigny led the league in GAA, 2.40.
  The season ended on a sour note, which included an ill-advised quote by Sevigny.  The heavily-favourite Montreal Canadiens were scheduled to play the underdog Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the play-offs.  It was billed as Guy Lafleur versus Wayne Gretzky.  Before the series begun, Sevigny quipped "Lafleur will put Gretzky in his back pocket."  The Oilers swept the Canadiens in three games.  Gretzky scored 11 points.  Sevigny allowed 13 goals.  Lafleur had one assist, which tied him with Sevigny for points.  It was the passing of the torch from Lafleur to Gretzky as the league's premier star.
  Sevigny, like most 80s goalies, suffered through OPC's lame warm-up photography.  Which is unfortunate since Sevigny had a fairly nice mask.  While it can be seen on his 1983-84 card, it is never done justice.  Years ago I did a complete reboot of all goalies for the 1981-82 set, below is the Sevigny version.

1981-82 OPC Richard Sevigny

  The Montreal Canadiens won the inaugural William Jennings trophy the following season, but Sevigny did not qualify for the award.  During practice, a shot fractured his glove hand and he missed almost two months.  The injury opened the door for rookie Rick Wamsley to take over as the team's starter.  Wamsley and Herron had their names on the William Jennings trophy.  They also were included in the 1982-83 OPC set, sans Sevigny.  This gives me another opportunity to showcase Sevigny's mask.

1982-83 OPC Richard Sevigny

  The Canadiens, who had won five out of the last six Vezina/Jennings for fewest goals, began to fall down the charts.  They finished 7th in fewest goals in 1982-83 and 1983-84.  Prior to the 1984 playoffs, the Canadiens had three consecutive first round exits, including two sweeps.  During the 1984 play-offs, a goalie savior appeared, the next Ken Dryden, as rookie Steve Penney led the team to the Stanley Cup semi-finals.  Sevigny did not play, but did collect a fighting major and game misconduct in the Good Friday Massacre during Game 6 versus the Quebec Nordiques.  A few games later, Sevigny again came off the bench during a brawl.  this time racking up 17 PIM while fighting Billy Smith of the New York Islanders.  I am pretty sure his 32 PIM is a single season play-off record for a player who never actually played a game.
  It was enough for the Habs to reboot their goalies, rookie Penney became the new starter and the team dealt away Wamsley and brought in Doug Soetaert.  Sevigny's contract was up and the Canadiens did not offer him a contract.  As a Quebecois, Sevigny opted to stay in his home province and signed with the Quebec Nordiques.  Injuries and rookie goalies continued to plague Sevigny in Quebec.  Sevigny was once again part of a 3 goalie committee, which included incumbent Dan Bouchard, a previous Lost Cards feature, and rookie Mario Gosselin.  Interestingly, the back-up goalie he fought the previous play-offs, Clint Malarchuk, was the odd man out and spent the season in the AHL.  In his first game as a Nordique, Sevigny allowed 9 goals on 32 shots against the Edmonton Oilers.  He did not play again for two more months.  His 20 games played in 1984-85 was his most as a Nordique, as he only played in 15 more games over the next two seasons.  After starting the season in the minors in 1987, Sevigny retired.
  Sevigny did have an OPC card as a Nordique, an actually decent airburshed job in the 1984-85 set.  I found a few good pictures of Sevigny as a Nordique and decided to give him a career capper as a Lost Card.

1987-88 OPC #272 Richard Sevigny

1987-88 OPC #272 Richard Sevigny

Lost Cards: 1985-86 OPC Mike Palmateer

  The Popcorn Kid, Mike Palmateer, was an fan favourite in Toronto during his first tour of duty with the team, although his farewell tour did not go so well.
  Drafted 85th overall in the 5th round of the 1974 draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Palmateer made his debut on October 24, 1976.  Upon being called up, Palmateer reportedly told the Leafs "Your hunt for a goalie is over.".  Palmateer made good on his claim, winning his first three games and going 7-2-1, with 2 shutouts, including one against the Montreal Canadiens, in his first ten.  Palmateer became the Leafs goalie of choice.  Palmateer received a rookie card from OPC in the 1977-78 set but it was one of those helmetless inaction shots, so I put together an action variant for Palmateer.

1977-78 OPC Mike Palmateer

  In the 1978 playoffs, Palmateer's stellar play helped the Leafs upset the New York Islanders in overtime of Game 7.  The Leafs made it to the Stanley Cup semi-finals before getting swept by the Montreal Canadiens.  Mike continued to start for the Leafs but suffered an ankle injury in December of 1979.  He returned a month later, but re-injured his ankle ten minutes into his first game.  Afterwards, Palmateer claimed he felt rushed to return to action and was not actually ready to return.  It took another month before Palmateer played again.
  With his contract up after 1980,  Palmateer and Leafs could not agree on a new contract and were headed to arbitration, before Palmateer was traded to the Washington Capitals in a multi-player and draft picks deal.  Robert Picard, a previous Lost Card, was the key piece received by the Leafs.   The Capitals believed their search for a goalie was over.  In fact, Caps GM Max McNab, believed they would be "set in goalie for the next ten years."  Unfortunately, Palmateer's time with the Capitals was marred by injuries and only lasted two seasons.  Palmateer got a lame warm-up shot for the 1981-92 set, which I previously tackled during the 1981-82 OPC Goalie Reboot.  Palmateer played only 11 games during the 1981-82 season, his second with the Caps, due to injuries, and did not earn a card in the 1982-83 set.  Here's what a 1982-83 OPC Palmateer may have looked like.

1982-83 OPC Mike Palmateer

  There is a story regarding Palmateer leaving the hospital, where he was scheduled for knee surgery, since he was called in to fill-in for injured goalie Wayne Stephenson.  After the game, Palmateer returned to the hospital and had the surgery that week. Obviously, this would not be the type of decision that help prolong a career.  Although, I cannot find out when this actually was.  Stephenson and Palmateer were only teammates during the 1980-81 season.  The best guess I have is either December 17, 1980 or January 4th 1981.  Palmateer suffered a knee injury during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguin on December 12th.  Stephenson started the next game, but did not play again until January 4th.  I cannot find info on his injury.  Palmateer started all the games between Dec 17th and January 4th.
  On January 4th, Palmateer started, and injured his leg in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers.  he was replaced by Stephenson, who finished the game.  Neither goalie played again until January 24 for Palmateer, and February 5th for Stephenson.  In the meantime, Dave Parro started 6 six games and Rollie Boutin started 2.  I would really like to find a newspaper article on this to confirm it.  Since it really is an incredible story.
  The contract Palmateer had signed withe caps put him into the upper echelon of NHL earners.  Frustrated with the returns on investment, and the Capitals abysmal on-ice performance, Capitals owner Abe Pollin basically cleaned house of the Palmateer deal, firing GM Max McNab, coach Gary Green and shipping Mike Palmateer back to the Maple Leafs for cash during the 1982 offseason.
  Palmateer, once again, ended the Leafs hunt for a goalie.  Although Leafs management was unimpressed as his play, as it was hindered by the numerous injuries he had incurred and had continued to suffer.  It didn't help that Palmateer had another contract dispute with the Leafs, winning a salary arbitration case after the 1983 season.  In the 1984 training camp, Palmateer and the Leafs brass once again had disagreements over his injuries.  Palmateer believed he should have rest days after games to heal up while the team felt he should have be back at practice the next day.  With youngsters Ken Wregget and Allan Bester poised to make the jump to the NHL, the Leafs felt Palmateer and his attitude should stay home.  After going unclaimed in the NHL waiver draft, the Leafs paid Palmateer to stay home.  They did not even assign him to the minors.
  In February of 1985,  the Edmonton Oilers contacted the Leafs about acquiring Palmateer.  Grant Fuhr had suffered an injury and the team was looking for a veteran to back-up Andy Moog while Fuhr healed.  Although the deal never materialized, Palmateer did attend the Oilers 1985 training camp, in which he played against the Leafs in exhibition play.  He never made the team and retired after being cut.
  If he had been traded, or had made the team, perhaps he would have had a place in the OPC set.  Highly unlikely, but he does land a spot on the Lost Cards.

1985-86 OPC #276 Mike Palmateer

1985-86 OPC #276 Mike Palmateer

Lost Rookies: 1986-87 OPC Gerard Gallant

  Gerard Gallant was one of Steve Yzerman's bodyguards during the late 80s and early 90s.  He scored 30+ goals and 200+ PIM in four straight seasons.  He set career highs with 39 goals and 93 points in 1988.  It was good enough for Gerard to be named as a NHL's 2nd Team All-Star.
  During Gerard's second season, 1985-86, Dirk Graham broke Gerard's jaw in a fight.  Gallant missed six weeks and returned to play wearing a football-style hockey helmet.  The same season, Gallant was involved in another serious injury, as he accidentally stepped on Borje Salming's face with his skate.  After the stitches, Salming look like an evil mastermind from a spy movie, feline and all.
  Gallant's career took off after he was put on a line with Steve Yzerman in 1986, which coincided with Gallant's four straight 30 goal seasons.  He was one of the top left wingers in the NHL as the 1980s came to a close.  In November of 1990, Gallant suffered a back injury.  This injury curtailed Gallant's career.  The injury resurfaced throughout the rest of Gallant's career.  His offensive production declined and he lost his spot on Yzerman's wing.
  The Red Wings did not make a contract offer to Gallant in 1993, making him a free agent.  Gallant signed with the Tampa Bay Lightening.  Back injuries continued to nag Gallant as he only scored 13 points and 74 PIM in 51 games with the Lightening in 1993-94.  The following season, Gallant only played one game in the NHL.  Gallant was determined to continue playing and returned to Detroit, this time as a member of the Detroit Vipers of the IHL.  Only 3 games into the season, Gallant re-injured his back.  This was finally enough for Gallant to retire.
  During his career, Gallant had 211 goals, 480 points and 1674 PIM in 615 career games.  He also had 9 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks, including four in 1987-88.  Although today, he is best known as a NHL coach.  In 2018 he coached the expansion team the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Finals.  He won the Jack Adams trophy as the best NHL coach in 2018.
  Gallant's rookie card was part of the 1987-88 OPC set.  Normally, I wouldn't do a Lost Rookie for a player who had a RC with the same team during their first three seasons, but the image of Gallant wearing his football-style helmet makes a good picture on cardboard.  I did a 86-87 Lost Rookie instead of a 85-86 since the fight and broken jaw happened during the 85-86 season and thus wouldn't show up until the 86-87 set.

1986-87 OPC #276 Gerard Gallant (RC)

1986-87 OPC #276 Gerard Gallant (RC)