For most posts, I did two teams per post. Here are the links to each team's post.
My life with the Cardboard Gods and the games they play.
Showing posts with label Reboot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reboot. Show all posts
Friday, April 5, 2013
1981-82 OPC Goalie Reboot Complete
The 1981-82 OPC Goalie Reboot is complete. In total, I redid 32 original cards and added 44 more, including a few one game wonders. All goalies from the 1980-81 season are included except for three. who I couldn't find any picture for. I wasn't able to make an improvement on every single original goalie card but overall I think the reboot definitely puts the boots to the originals. There is a lot more action shots and a lot more masks. So what do you think? Which card is your favourite?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
1982-82 OPC Reboot: Caps and Jets
Washington Capitals
For the second straight season, the Washington Capitals missed the play-offs while finishing the season within two points of the final play-off spot. The Capitals had the last spot secured as late as April 1st, before getting passed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, with three games left in the season. The Leafs would finish the season with 71 points; the Capitals had 70. The Capitals would have to wait until 1983 before making their debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Mike Palmateer G 27 49 18 19 9 172 3.85 2 2679 2 Dave Parro G 23 18 4 7 2 49 3.63 1 811 3 Wayne Stephenson G 36 20 4 7 5 66 3.92 1 1010 4 Gary Inness G 31 3 0 1 2 9 3.00 0 180 5 Rollie Boutin G 23 2 0 2 0 11 5.50 0 120 Team Total 80 26 36 18 307 3.84 4 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #351 - Mike Palmateer |
After falling two points short of a play-off birth in 1980, the Capitals traded for Mike Palmateer, sending the Toronto Maple Leafs All-Star defenceman, Robert Picard. Ironic, that the Caps would then lose out to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the final play-off spot. Palmateer's time in Washington would be short. In his second season with Washington, he suffered a season ending knee injury. It probably didn't help that the Capitals once call upon a drugged up Palmateer off a hospital gurney, just prior to knee surgery, to play a game. The Capitals would sell Palmateer back to Toronto. He would retire two season later.
Bonus Capitals
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Wayne Stephenson |
Wayne Stephenson had a late start on his NHL career. He was 27 before he signed his first professional hockey contract in 1972, even then it was only a 30 day trial contract, as Stephenson had a bigger dream in mind, an Olympic Gold Medal. Stephenson had played with the Canada National team since 1966. He played in 3 games in the 1968 Olympics, helping the team win a Bronze medal. He was slated to the be the #1 goalie for the 1972 Olympics, until Canada pulled out of the Olympics and World Championships. Canada protested that it could never win a Gold as long as Russia was allowed to use "professional amateurs". Stephenson would start his career with the St. Louis Blues before getting traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he won a Stanley Cup in 1975, as Bernie Parent's back-up. He would spend his final two seasons in Washington, before retiring in 1981.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Dave Parro (RC) |
With injuries to starters Mike Palmateer and Wayne Stephenson, Dave Parro was made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals. His first career start was against the Edmonton Oilers, although the Caps lost, Parro took consolation in stopping Wayne Gretzky on breakway. In his fourth career start, he earned his first career shutout versus the Los Angeles Kings. Parro took over starting goalie duties in 1981-82 after Mike Palmateer re-injured his knee. Although it was not to last, as another rookie goalie, Al Jensen, would upstage Parro in the later stages of the season. Then during the offseason, the Capitals would trade for another goalie, Pat Riggin. Parro would be the odd man out, playing in only 6 games in 1982-83 and playing a single minute in 1983-84.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Gary Inness |
From the 1976-77 season to the 1982-83 season, a different goalie led the Washington Capitals in games played. During the 1978-79 season, it was Gary Inness who led the team with 37 games played. The Capitals signed Gary Inness in December of 1978, after the Indianapolis Pacers of the WHA folded 25 games into their season. Inness went 14-14-8, becoming the first Washington Capitals goalie to have a .500 or better record, with more than 1 decision. This did not inspire any faith in him by the Capitals, as they traded for Wayne Stephenson before the start of the following season. Inness would spend the majority of his time in the AHL the following two seasons before retiring in 1981.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Rollie Boutin (RC) |
Rollie Boutin had a strong 1980-81 campaign, in the AHL. He led the AHL in wins, shutouts and was a Second Team All-Star. His brief time in the NHL was not as strong. Rollie failed to build on his 79-80 season, where he went 7-7-1, 3.50 with the Capitals. He only played two games with the big team in 80-81 and allowed 11 goals in his two starts. Boutin would bounce around the minors for a few more season before retiring in 1984.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets won the Avco Cup, the WHA's championship, in back-to-back seasons in 1978 and 1979. They struggled in their first season in the NHL, in thier second season, they down right awful. They scored the least goals and allowed the most goals in the NHL. They won their first game of the season on October 17th. They didn't win another game until December 23rd, setting a NHL record with a 30 game winless streak. They were a bad team.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Markus Mattsson G 23 31 3 21 4 128 4.50 1 1707 2 Pierre Hamel G 28 29 3 20 4 128 4.73 0 1623 3 Michel Dion G 26 14 3 6 3 61 4.83 0 757 4 Lindsay Middlebrook G 25 14 0 9 3 65 5.97 0 653 5 Ron Loustel G 18 1 0 1 0 10 10.00 0 60 Team Total 80 9 57 14 392 4.90 1 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #365 Pierre Hamel |
Pierre Hamel was selected by the Jets from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the expansion draft. Hamel had played in 5 games with the Leafs since 1974. Hamel would last two seasons with the Jets before returning to the minor leagues to finish his career.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #374 Markus Mattsson |
When the Winnipeg Jets merged into the NHL from the WHA in 1979, they lost a lot of key players. Most of its players had their NHL rights already owned by another team. The Jets were allowed claim up to two skaters and two goalies as priority selections, if the NHL who held thier rights tried to claim them. The Islanders, who drafted Mattsson in the 5th round of the 1977 amateur draft, attempted to claim Mattsson, but the Jets denied the Islander's claim on Mattsson by labeling him as a priority selection. After playing two seasons for the Jets, Mattsson would spend the entire 1981-82 season in the minors before signing as a free agent with the Minnesota North Stars in the following offseason. Mattson was the Winnipeg Jet goalie to record a shutout in the NHL.
Bonus Jets
Michel Dion's season actually improved after being sold to the Winnipeg Jets in February of 1981. While he was a Nordique, Dion was 0-8-3, 5.32 GAA in 12 games. As a Jet, Dion was 3-6-3, 4.83 GAA in 14 games. The three wins tied him for the team lead in that category. He would leave the Jets via free agency to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had his best season of his career the following year and played in the 1982 all-star game. This is Dion's second card in the reboot, as I gave him an update card as a Penguin.
Lindsay Middlebrook had a lot of success in the minors, winning a Turner Cup and twice being named to the 1st or 2nd All-Star team, but in the NHL, he had very little success. Middlebrook was picked by the Jets in the 1979 expansion draft after the New York Rangers left him unprotected. In two seasons with the Jets, Middlebrook went 2-17-3, 5.11 GAA. He would later have stops with the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers. It was with the Edmonton Oilers he had his most success, going 1-0-0, 3.00 GAA.
One game, ten goals against. That is the NHL career of Ron Loustel. On March 27th, 1981, Loustel, recently called up from the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, got the call to start in net against the Vancouver Canucks. For whatever reason, coach Mike Smith left Loustel inbetween the pipes for the entire 60 minutes and 10 goals. To Loustel's credit, the Jets defence was atrocious that net, allowing Vancouver to get 51 shots on net including 20 in the final period. Loustel would return to the junior leagues the following season. He only play one more professional game. He allowed 3 goals in 33 minutes with the Fort Wayne Comet of the IHL.
It'd be interesting to see why the Jets started Loustel and then kept him in for all ten goals. The previous game was on March 22nd, so the team had five days to decide on who to start. Loustel was born in Winnipeg, so that might have contributed to the decision to start him at a home game, but why leave him out to dry?
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Michel Dion |
Michel Dion's season actually improved after being sold to the Winnipeg Jets in February of 1981. While he was a Nordique, Dion was 0-8-3, 5.32 GAA in 12 games. As a Jet, Dion was 3-6-3, 4.83 GAA in 14 games. The three wins tied him for the team lead in that category. He would leave the Jets via free agency to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had his best season of his career the following year and played in the 1982 all-star game. This is Dion's second card in the reboot, as I gave him an update card as a Penguin.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Lindsay Middlebrook (RC) |
Lindsay Middlebrook had a lot of success in the minors, winning a Turner Cup and twice being named to the 1st or 2nd All-Star team, but in the NHL, he had very little success. Middlebrook was picked by the Jets in the 1979 expansion draft after the New York Rangers left him unprotected. In two seasons with the Jets, Middlebrook went 2-17-3, 5.11 GAA. He would later have stops with the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers. It was with the Edmonton Oilers he had his most success, going 1-0-0, 3.00 GAA.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Ron Loustel (RC) |
One game, ten goals against. That is the NHL career of Ron Loustel. On March 27th, 1981, Loustel, recently called up from the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, got the call to start in net against the Vancouver Canucks. For whatever reason, coach Mike Smith left Loustel inbetween the pipes for the entire 60 minutes and 10 goals. To Loustel's credit, the Jets defence was atrocious that net, allowing Vancouver to get 51 shots on net including 20 in the final period. Loustel would return to the junior leagues the following season. He only play one more professional game. He allowed 3 goals in 33 minutes with the Fort Wayne Comet of the IHL.
It'd be interesting to see why the Jets started Loustel and then kept him in for all ten goals. The previous game was on March 22nd, so the team had five days to decide on who to start. Loustel was born in Winnipeg, so that might have contributed to the decision to start him at a home game, but why leave him out to dry?
Thursday, March 21, 2013
1981-82 OPC Reboot: Leafs and Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished in last place in the Adams Division, which was good enough for a play-off spot. In 1980-81, the NHL would rank the teams by points and the top 16 made the play-offs. The Leafs rode a five game unbeaten streak into the play-offs, just to be swept in three games by the New York Islanders. The Islanders outscored the Leafs 20 to 4. The Leafs used five different goalies in the regular season and three in the play-offs.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Jiri Crha G 30 54 20 20 11 211 4.07 0 3112 2 Jim Rutherford G 31 18 4 10 2 82 5.12 0 961 3 Michel Larocque G 28 8 3 3 2 40 5.22 0 460 4 Curt Ridley G 29 3 1 1 0 12 5.81 0 124 5 Vincent Tremblay G 21 3 0 3 0 16 6.71 0 143 Team Total 80 28 37 15 361 4.51 0 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #315 - Jiri Crha (RC) |
Jiri Crha was clearly the best Leafs goalie in the 1980-81 regular season, but when the topic is the worst Leafs goalie ever, his name tends to get mentioned. It might have more to do with his last few games with the Leafs. In 65 play-off minutes in 1981, he allowed 11 goals, for a 10.15 GAA. In fact, he golds the record for highest GAA in a single play-off for a goalie who ever played more the 60 minutes. Crha would never play another NHL game. Crha's OPC card was the inspiration for this reboot.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #319 - Michel "Bunny" Larocque |
Michel Larocque shared the Vezina Trophy from the 1980-81 season. He didn't share it with his Leafs teammates, he won it with his Canadiens teammates. Larocque had a 3.03 GAA with the Canadiens, but with the Leafs, he had a 5.23 GAA. For his career, he had a 2.83 GAA with Montreal, and a 4.87 GAA while playing for other teams. One thing he did have, was a cool mask. His 1982-83 OPC card is a contender for card of the year.
Bonus Leafs
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Vincent Trembley(RC) |
Vincent Trembley posted a 6.71 GAA while losing all three games he played. For that, the Leafs believed he was good enough to share the goalie duties the following season. One of his career highlights of his career is a 4-0 shutout versus the Philadelphia Flyers on November 14th, 1981. Other than that, he was the typical 80's Maple Leafs goalie - bad.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Curt Ridley |
Curt Ridley is best known as a Vancouver Canuck. Ridley was traded to the Leafs in Febraury of 1980. Ridley suffered a season ended injury in his third game as a Leaf. A slapshot from the blueline went off his index finger in his catching hand. It is notable since Jiri Crha would have to come off the bench to play, making him the first goalie to have ever defected from Europe and play in the NHL. Ridley would play three more games the following season before retiring in 1982.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Paul Harrison |
The Islanders were beating the Leafs so bad in the play-offs, that the Leafs brought in a goalie who had spent the entire season in the minors to stop the bleeding. Paul Harrison had spent the entire 1980-81 season in the minors before getting called up by the Leafs. Too bad he didn't play the entire series, he only allowed one goal in 40 minutes compared to 19 the other goalies had allowed in 140 minutes. Perhaps he played great, or perhaps the Islanders grew tired of scoring.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Jim Rutherford |
Jim Rutherford was traded twice during the 1980-81 season. He finished the season with Los Angeles, so he really shouldn't have a Maple Leafs card in this reboot. He played 18 games for the Maple Leafs sandwiched between time with the Detroit Red Wings and LA Kings. I had to include him because of his funky mask. What is that on his face? It's not a maple leaf. Unless it is a maple leaf that is in the process of being cut in half. A deformed maple leaf? A sign of things to come for the Leafs of the 1980s. That is one ugly mask.
Vancouver Canucks
1980-81 was the beginning of King Richard's reign as the top goalie in Vancouver. Although it wouldn't be until the 1982 play-offs run that he'd make a name for himself. While the Canucks goal tending was middle of the pack, they had the fifth worse offence in the league and were the only team in the NHL not to have a player score 70 points. Thomas Gradin led the team with 69 points. Noteworthy was Tiger Williams 35 goals and 343 PIM, becoming the first player to accomplish a 30-300 season.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Richard Brodeur G 28 52 17 18 16 177 3.51 0 3024 2 Gary Bromley G 31 20 6 6 4 62 3.80 0 978 3 Glen Hanlon G 23 17 5 8 0 59 4.44 1 798 Team Total 80 28 32 20 298 3.72 1 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #331 - Richard Brodeur |
Brodeur was a star in the WHA for th Quebec Nordiques, but when the WHA merged with the NHL, his rights were held by the New York Islanders. The Quebec Nordiques claimed Brodeur as a priority selection, only to trade his rights back to the Islanders for another goalie, Goran Hogosta. Stuck behind two All-Star goalies in Billy Smith and Chico Resch, Broduer would only appear in two games before being traded to the Canucks in the offseason prior to the 1980-81 season. Brodeur would be the #1 goalie in Vancouver for seven season before being traded to Hartford in 1988.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #336 - Glen Hanlon |
Wayne Gretzky scored over 800 NHL goals, but you always remember your first and Wayne Gretzky will always remember Glen Hanlon. Hanlon would go onto play 477 career NHL games with four different franchises. Since retiring, Hanlon made a career in coaching. He coached the Washington Capitals in the NHL and the national teams for Slovaki and Belarus. In 2006, he was named sportsman of the year by a Belarus newspaper.
Bonus Canucks
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Gary Bromley |
This is the scariest card in the reboot. Seriously, look at that guy with the beard in the background. Must have serial killer night at the old Pacific Coliseum. Gary Bromley's mask is a classic. The best skull mask ever in the NHL. I had a pretty sweet TTM return from Bromley in 2011. 1980-81 would be Bromley's final season in the NHL, after a year in the minors, he retired in 1982.
Monday, March 18, 2013
1981-82 OPC Reboot: Blues and Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Nordiques were on the outside looking in as the end of January approached. The team was 11-26-13. Good enough for 35 points and a .350 winning percentage. They were the second worst team in the NHL. So on January 30th, 1980, the Nordiques traded for disgrunted Calgary Flames netminder Daniel Bouchard. For the remainder of the season, they were the best team in the NHL. Bouchard started 29 out of the remaining 30 games and the team went 19-6-5. Good enough to go from 20th in the league to 10th. The Nordiques couldn't keep the heat up in the play-offs. The got beat up by the Philadelphia Flyers, losing all three road games and the series 3 games to 2.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Dan Bouchard G 30 29 19 5 5 92 3.17 2 1740 2 Michel Plasse G 32 33 10 14 9 118 3.66 0 1933 3 Ron Grahame G 30 8 1 5 1 40 5.47 0 439 4 Michel Dion G 26 12 0 8 3 61 5.32 0 688 Team Total 80 30 32 18 311 3.89 2 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #270 - Dan Bouchard |
Dan Bouchard was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1970. He never played for Boston, as he was selected by the Atlanta Flames in the 1972 expansion draft. He was only original Atlanta Flame to stay with the team until they got transferred to Calgary. During 1980-81, the Calgary Flames relied on rookie goalies, Reggie Lemelin and Pat Riggin, often leaving Bouchard off the playing roster. Frustrated, Bouchard asked for a trade, and he was eventually shipped to the Quebec Nordiques. Bouchard would play five seasons for the Nordiques before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1985. For the reboot, picking the better card is a toss-up. I like the image on the reboot card better, but the original has a picture from the correct season and it does qualify as an action shot. Narrow win for the original.
Bonus Nordiques
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Michel Plasse |
Quick, and without looking at the picture above, name the first goalie to ever be selected first overall in the NHL Amateur draft? In 1968, the Montreal Canadiens had the option to exchange their 1st and 2nd round picks for the 1st and 2nd overall selections, bumping the rest of the teams back. The caveat was that the Canadiens would have to use those two picks to select francophone players. The picks were known as "Cultural" selections. Plasse would become the first NHL goalie to play for both Quebec Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Ron Grahame |
Ron Grahame had his best success in the WHA, being the only two-time winner of the Ben Hatskin trophy, as best goalie in the league. Impressive, since he only played three full seasons in the WHA. His NHL career started out great. He played 40 games for the Boston Bruins in 1977-78, going 26-6-7 with a 2.76 GAA. Instead of keeping Grahame, the Bruins traded him for a first round pick, which turned out to be Raymond Bourque. The Kings had lost Rogie Vachon as a free agent and hoped Grahame would become their number one goalie. Grahame couldn't hold onto the #1 spot in LA and was eventually traded to the Quebec Nordiques, where he would finish his career. He played a total of 6 games for the Nordiques. I couldn't find a coloured picture of him in a Nordiques uniform, so I had to go with the black and white shot.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues finished the season with the second best regular season record in the NHL. In the play-offs they ran out of gas. They almost never made it our of the first round. They scored in double overtime of the final game to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the second round they lost in six games to the New York Rangers. The were a very balanced team. Offesively they had 10 players score 20 or more goals and overall they finished second in the league in goals scored. In net, Mike Liut was a runner-up for the Hart Trophy, winner of the Ted Lindsay Trophy and a 1st team All-Star.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Mike Liut G 25 61 33 14 13 199 3.34 1 3570 2 Ed Staniowski G 25 19 10 3 3 72 4.28 0 1010 3 Rick Heinz G 25 4 2 1 1 8 2.18 0 220 Team Total 80 45 18 17 279 3.49 1 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #289 - Mike Liut |
Mike Liut was one of the top goalies in the 1980s. He led all goalies in games played, wins and shutouts in the 1980s. 1980-81 was his best season, as he won the Ted Lindsay trophy, was a 1st team All-Star and runner-up for the Hart Trophy. He was Team Canada's goalie in the 1981 Canada Cup, although it did not end well. Team Canada lost 8-1 in the final versus the USSR. While Liut had several more solid seasons in him, he would never reach the elite level he as he had in 1980-81. He played for the Hartford Whalers and the Washington Capitals before retiring in 1992. Liut had one of the great masks of the early 1980s. Although it was never painted, it had a sinister shape to it and it gives off the goalie-masked killer vibe.
Bonus Blues
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Ed Staniowski (ER) |
Ed Staniowski comes in as the first error card of the reboot. Notice the small caps "i" in his last name. I guess in doing an OPC retro set, you have to include some errors or else it wouldn't feel like a 1980s OPC set. In 1980-81, Ed almost reversed his numbers from the previous season. He went from 2-11-3, 4.33 GAA in 79-80 to 10-3-3, 4.28 GAA. Striking while the iron was hot, the Blues shipped Staniowski to the Winnipeg Jets in the offseason. Unfortunately, the Blues would include Paul MacLean in the package and the two players they got in return played a total of 5 career games for the Blues. Staniowski would play 2 1/2 season for the Jets while Paul MacLean would be a six time 30 goal man for the Winnipeg Jets.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Rick Heinz (RC) |
Rick Heinze never had a rookie card. He played 49 career games over parts of five seasons. He is best known for his career after the NHL, at the Rick Heinz Goalie School. Some of his former students include Curtis Joseph, Manny Legace and Garth Snow.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
1981-82 OPC Reboot - Flyers and Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers
The Broad Street Bullies, once again bullied their way through the league. The Flyers led the league, and set a franchise record, with 2581 PIM. The Flyers were solid in net, finishing second in the league for the fewest goals against. Rookie Rick St Croix finished second in the league in GAA and Pete Peeters was fourth.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Pete Peeters G 23 40 22 12 5 115 2.96 2 2333 2 Rick St. Croix G 26 27 13 7 6 65 2.49 2 1567 3 Phil Myre G 32 16 6 5 4 61 4.07 0 900 Team Total 80 41 24 15 241 3.01 4 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #245 Pete Peeters |
Pete Peeters took the reigns of starting goalie in the 1979-80 season after Bernie Parent retired. I think Pete Peeters is one of the most underrated goalies from the 1980s. He had the second most wins and second best GAA in the 1980s. Also, according to hockeyreference.com, he has the 10th best career adjusted GAA of all-time.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #252 Rick St Croix (RC) |
1980-81 was Rick St Croix's best season by far. Granted he played one more season for the Flyers before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1982-83 season. His stats with the Flyers; 38-26-16, 3.23 GAA. With the Maple Leafs; 11-28-2, 4.63 GAA.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins limped into the play-offs, going 3-6-4 in their last thirteen games. They finished 15th overall and had to face the second overall team, the St. Louis Blues. The Penguins battled and made it all the way to double overtime in game five before bowing out. The Penguins relied heavily on Greg Millen, playing him in 63 games, but lost Millen via free agency in the offseason. When it was time to produce the set, OPC decided not to include any goalies for the Pittsburgh Penguins, making them the only team without a goalie card in the set.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Greg Millen G 23 63 25 27 10 258 4.16 0 3721 2 Nick Ricci G 21 9 4 5 0 35 3.89 0 540 3 Rob Holland G 23 10 1 5 3 45 5.01 0 539 Team Total 80 30 37 13 338 4.22 0 4800
Bonus Penguins
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Greg Millen (Pens) |
Greg Millen did have a card in the 1981-82 OPC set, but he was given an airbrush job and was featured as a Hartford Whalers. That card was featured in an earlier post. I decided I had to give Greg Millen a Penguins card since he was the man between the pipes for the Pens in 1980-81. In the off-season, the Penguins and the Whalers engaged in a bidding war for Greg Millen. On June 15th, Millen signed with the Whalers, netting Millen a pay increase from $40,000 a season to $160,000.
 |
| 1981-82 Nick Ricci (RC) |
Nick Ricci was being groomed as the goalie for the future, but he never made it. He played 19 games over four seasons for the Penguins before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. he played two more seasons in the minors before retiring.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Rob Holland (RC) |
First off, there are two things wrong with this card. The uniform dates the picture from the 1979-80 season. Also there is the big logo on top of the picture. I could not find a good Rob Holland picture on the internet. So I had to borrow one off eBay. I guess I should mention that Classic Hockey Images has hundreds of classic goalie pictures available for sale. Check out their other items. Holland's NHL career only lasted two seasons. Before the 1981-82 season, he was traded to the New York Islanders and spent his final six professional seasons in the minors.
Penguins Update
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Michel Dion |
Michel Dion was signed by the Penguins with the hopes that he would back-up Greg Millen for the 1981-82 season. Instead Millen was lost via free agency and Dion would go on to represent the Penguins in the 1982 All-Star game. With his distinctive bird beek mask in Penguins colours, Dion'd first season would be the only bright spot in his Penguins career as then team would go on a two year nosedive, winning the Mario Lemieux sweepstakes for the 1984 draft.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Paul Harrison |
Worried about their goaltending depth, the Penguins traded for veteran Paul Harrison during training camp of the 1981-82 season. Harrison would only play 13 games for the Penguins before being lost on waivers to the Buffalo Sabres in February of 1982.
Friday, February 8, 2013
1981-82 OPC Reboot - Islanders and Rangers
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders won their second of four straight Stanley Cups in 1981. They led the league in points and goals scored. During the season, the team traded away disgruntled star goalie Chico Resch and brought up rookie Roland Melanson to split the starts with Billy Smith. Once the play-offs arrived, it was all Billy Smith, as the Islanders dominated in the play-offs, going 15-3.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Billy Smith G 30 41 22 10 8 129 3.28 2 2363 2 Glenn Resch G 32 32 18 7 5 93 3.07 3 1817 3 Roland Melanson G 20 11 8 1 1 32 3.10 0 620 Team Total 80 48 18 14 254 3.17 5 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #207 - Billy Smith |
Billy Smith was elected to the HHOF in 1993. The Islanders had split the regular season games between Resch and Smith fairly evenly during the previous five and a half season before trading Resch. Although during the 1980 playoffs, it was a different matter, Smith played 1198 minutes compared to Resch's 120. Smith would continue to build on his reputation as a play-off goalie, helping the Islanders win the Cup four straight seasons, and winning the Conn Smythe in 1983. Smith had 14 OPC cards made during his career. Ten of them showed him wither posed or in warm-up.
Bonus Islanders
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Roland Melanson (RC) |
Roland Melanson came to the Island at the right time. He was part of three Stanley Cup winning teams. "Rollie the Goalie" led the NHL in save percentage in 1983-84, the first season it was officially tracked. In 1982-83, Melanson was named to the NHL's 2nd All-Star team. Melanson had his best seasons with the Islanders but while he split time with Billy Smith in the regular season, he rarely played in the play-offs. He was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1984 for a 1st round choice, used to select Brad Dalgarno.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers went into the play-offs on a hot streak. They went 6-2-2 to finish the season with 74 points and the 14th play-off seed. In 1980-81, teams were seeding 1-16 regardless of division or conference. In the play-offs they beat the Los Angelese Kings, 99 points, and the St. Louis Blues, 107pts, before getting swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champs, the New York Islanders, 110pts. The Rangers used five goalies during the 1980-81 season.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Doug Soetaert G 25 39 16 16 7 152 3.93 0 2320 2 Steve Baker G 23 21 10 6 5 73 3.48 2 1260 3 Wayne Thomas G 33 10 3 6 1 34 3.40 0 600 4 John Davidson G 27 10 1 7 1 48 5.14 0 560 5 Steve Weeks G 22 1 0 1 0 2 2.00 0 60 Team Total 80 30 36 14 309 3.86 2 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #222 - John Davidson |
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #231 - Steve Baker |
Steve Baker only played four NHL season, all with the New York Rangers. Baker burst onto the scene in 1979, only losing one out his first ten games. He struggled to keep that pace up and was never able to secure the #1 spot for himself. He did have a sweet mask. Here's a clip of a young Steve Baker explaining his goalie equipment to Phil Esposito.
Bonus Rangers
 |
| 1981-82 Doug Soetaert |
Doug Soetaert finally got a chance to play for the Rangers in the 1980-81 season. He had spent the last five seasons splitting time between New York and the AHL. A knee injury to John Davidson left the #1 spot opened and Soetaert filled that role for the majority of the season. The Rangers didn't feel Soetaert has right for the job, so he found himself traded to the Winnipeg Jets in the off season. Doug was the #1 goalie in Winnipeg before a trade to Montreal, where he helped mentor Patrick Roy and won a Stanley Cup in 1986.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Wayne Thomas |
Wayne Thomas started his career as a Montreal Canadien in 1973. He shutout the Vancouver Canucks in his first career start. The following season, he found himself as the starting goalie, as incumbent Ken Dryden left the team to study law. The following season, Ken Dryden returned and the Canadiens carried three goalies. Dryden played 56 games, Michel Larocque played 25 games and Thomas played zero games. Thomas spent the entire season watching, not even getting to play in the minors. The Toronto Maple Leafs were so impressed by Thomas's season, that they traded a 1st round pick for him. It looked great early, as Thomas played in the All-Star game in his first season in Toronto. Eventually Thomas lost the #1 job in Toronto and would eventually get picked up on waivers by the New York Rangers.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Steve Weeks (RC) |
Thursday, January 24, 2013
1981-82 OPC Reboot - North Stars and Canadiens
Minnesota North Stars
The North Stars had made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1981. They were the underdog in each series. Minnesota knocked off the Bruins, Sabres, and Flames, before being losing to the New York Islanders. The North Stars only used two goalies the entire season.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Don Beaupre G 19 44 18 14 11 138 3.20 0 2585 2 Gilles Meloche G 30 38 17 14 6 120 3.25 2 2215 Team Total 80 35 28 17 258 3.23 2 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #159 Don Beaupre (RC) |
Don Beaupre was a teenage rookie in 1980-81. He played in the 1981 All-Star game and might have made the All-Rookie Team, if it had been invented yet. 1982-83 was the first season for the All-Rookie Team. Don would have a lengthy career, lasting 667 games.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #165 Gilles Meloche |
Gilles Meloche came to Minnesota as part of the merger with the Cleveland Barons. With both the Barons and North Stars struggling financially, the NHL merged the two teams and a dispersal draft was held. I guess the NHL didn't want this new Barons-North Stars franken-team to be too powerful. Meloche was one of the 12 players protected by the North Stars. The following season, the North Stars improved to 68 points, a 23 point increase form the previous season. Meloche retired in 1988, falling one loss short of the NHL career loss record at that time. Meloche had 15 OPC cards, with only five including his mask. His first eight cards were poses or warm-up shots.
Montreal Canadiens
1980-81 was the Canadiens second season after Ken Dryden retired. It finished like the first one, a dominant regular sesaon but with an earlier than expected play-off exit. Although it couldn't be blamed on the goaltending. The Canadiens goalies won the Vezina Trophy. It was the last time the Vezina Trophy was awarded to the goalies who played on the team with the lowest goals against. It was also the only time three goalies who had played for the same team shared the award. It was also the only time a goalie, Michel Larocque, shared the trophy after being traded. The following season, the William Jennings Trophy was introduce as the award for goalies on the teams with the lowest GAA. The Canadiens goalies won it that season as well.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Richard Sevigny G 23 33 20 4 3 71 2.40 2 1777 2 Michel Larocque G 28 28 16 9 3 82 3.03 1 1623 3 Denis Herron G 28 25 6 9 6 67 3.50 1 1147 4 Rick Wamsley G 21 5 3 0 1 8 1.90 1 253 Team Total 80 45 22 13 228 2.85 5 4800
 |
| 1980-81 OPC #191 Richard Sevign |
Bonus Canadiens
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Denis Herron |
Denis Herron only played three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. He had two amazing seasons, with one mediocre one sandwiched between them. Herron came to the Canadiens via trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1979. Herron played spectacular, he was 2nd in GAA and his 25-3-3 record is one of the best single season winning percentages for a goalie who played more than 25 games. He slumped in 1980-81 with a 3.50 GAA, but the following season in 1982-83, Herron led the league with a 2.64 GAA. The Canadiens traded Herron back to the Pittsurgh Penguins before the 1982-83 season for a 3rd round pick. That 3rd rounder was later involved in the largest trade ever. A trade that saw two players and nine draft picks change hands.
 |
| 1980-81 OPC Rick Wamsely (RC) |
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
1981-82 OPC Reboot: Whalers and Kings
Hartford Whalers
The Avco Cup winning Whalers of the WHA were a distant memory for the Hartford Whalers teams of the earlier 1980s. The 1979-80 Hartford Whalers had four future Hall of Famers on its roster. Unfortunately, three of them were well past their prime. Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull would retire after the season. Dave Keon would play a few more season before calling it a career. The fourth HHOFee was Mark Howe, who still holds single season records for most goals, 24, assists, 56, and points, 80, in a season by a Whaler/Hurricane defenceman. Records he set in the franchises first NHL season.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 John Garrett G 29 54 15 27 12 241 4.59 0 3152 2 Mike Veisor G 28 29 6 13 6 118 4.46 1 1588 3 Ken Holland G 25 1 0 1 0 7 7.00 0 60 Team Total 80 21 41 18 366 4.58 1 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #134 Greg Millen |
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #137 John Garrett |
Bonus Whalers
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Mike Veisor |
If you have reading all the reboots, you'd know that Tony Esposito played in 83% of the Black Hawks games from 1972 to 1981. Who was the man stuck behind Tony O? For the most part, it was Mike Veisor. Veisor only played in 52 NHL games from 1973 to 1979. Veisor would get three NHL cards, none of them had him in full equipment. He also never had a Whalers card.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Ken Holland |
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings of the late 1970s was a team that had potential but was never able to get to the next level. In the 1980-81 season, it appeared the team was at the cusp once again. The Kings had 99 points and finished 4th overall in the NHL. The Triple Crown Line, Dionne, Simmer and Taylor, each scored 100 points. Hopes were high for the play-offs. Unfortunately, the Kings would fall flat, losing the opening series in four games, 3-1, to the New York Rangers. It was the fourth straight season the Kings lost in the opening round. In the off-season, head coach Bob Berry would leave for greener pastures and become the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Berry would guide the Canadiens to the play-offs the next two seasons, each time losing in the first round. The Kings would end the 1981-82 season with one of the greatest upsets in hockey history.
Rk Player Pos Age GP W L T/O GA GAA SO MIN 1 Mario Lessard G 26 64 35 18 11 203 3.25 2 3746 2 Jim Rutherford G 31 3 3 0 0 10 3.33 0 180 3 Ron Grahame G 30 6 3 2 1 28 4.67 0 360 4 Doug Keans G 23 9 2 3 1 37 4.89 0 454 5 Paul Pageau G 21 1 0 1 0 8 8.00 0 60 Team Total 80 43 24 13 286 3.57 2 4800
 |
| 1981-82 OPC #146 Mario Lessard |
Mario Lessard had a short career. He spent his entire six season career with the LA Kings. 1980-81 was his best season. He led the NHL in wins and was a second team All-star. Lessard would get three OPC cards, all with mask on. Strangely, OPC did not make a Lessard card for 1980-81 set, in fact no Kings goals were included in that set. Lessard card is one of the few action shots in the 1981-82 set. I'll give the win to the original
Bonus Kings
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Doug Keans (RC) |
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Jim Rutherford |
The Kings was Jim Rutherford's third team in 1981-82. He also played with the Red Wings and Maple Leafs. Rutherford's time playing with the LA Kings would be short. He would play in a total of eleven games with the Kings before moving on. Rutherford had eight cards with OPC, none of them had him in full equipment. He had three head shots, two full body studio poses, and three warm-up skate cards. Today, Rutherford is best known as the GM of the Carolina Hurricanes, a post he has held since 1994.
 |
| 1981-82 OPC Paul Pageau (RC) |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)