The Cardboard and Me: Lost Rookies: 1985-86 OPC Todd Charlesworth

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Lost Rookies: 1985-86 OPC Todd Charlesworth

How do I choose my players for the Lost Cards? Some are fairly obvious overlooks by OPC. A player with a lengthy career who was ignored by OPC for years, such as Garth Butcher or Tim Hunter. Some are career cappers, like Pierre Larouche, or Butch Goring, who had All-Star careers but retired before OPC finalized their lists before the upcoming years. Players like Dan Bouchard or Harold Snepsts, received horrendous airbrush treatments for their single cards with a particular team. Then there was the original reason behind Lost Rookies, players who had never received a NHL card, such as Bob Mason, or Tim Tookey.
How I find player for this last category has changed. Originally, I could find players I remembered or even followed as a child, such as Frank Caprice, but eventually it became finding player whom I didn't recognize. For example, while doing research on Dave Gagner for a Lost Rookies post, the name Todd Charlesworth grabbed my attention. While Dave was drafted 12th overall in the 1st round of the 1983 Entry draft, Todd was drafted 22nd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the 1st pick in the 2nd round.
Never heard of him. Wonder if he had a card? I was intrigued by the name and did a quick search. The search didn't turn up any cards, but did turn up a nice picture, in a sweet jersey, suitable for a card. So the decision was made, a card for Todd.
I don't have much to say about his actual career. He graduated quite quickly to the NHL, jumping in straight from juniors. In 1983-84 he had a ten game stint with the Penguins while spending the rest of the season with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. 1984-85 saw "The Next One" Mario Lemieux join the beleaguered Penguins. Lemieux assisted on Todd's first career goal, and only goal of the 84-85 season, a game-winner against the New York Islanders. Charlesworth had 9 points in 67 games in 84-85, his only full season in the NHL.
Charlesworth made the Penguins out of training camp for the 85-86 season but only played in two of the first four games before being sent down. He did score goals in back-to-back games in 1987-88. Otherwise, he spent the majority of his time in the IHL.
Todd left the Penguins via free agency and signed with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1989-90 season. He wasn't able to make the team and the Oilers sent him to the New York Rangers in a mid-season trade for future considerations. He played seven games with the Rangers.
Todd would toil in the minors until the 1994-95 season and would retire in the city he played most of his pro hockey, Muskegon, Michigan.
There was nothing in particular that drew me to Todd Charlesworth. Although, the name is kind of cool. And I do love that hideous yellow Penguins jersey. Otherwise, its a player without a card but with a good picture available online. Usually there is a bit of backstory that draws me in but this time, it's a neat name in a cool jersey.