For the 1961-62 hockey card season, Topps came up with the bright idea to put a team picture on the front of a card. The team card was born. In 1961-62, Topps produced the player cards for the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers and Parkhurst was responsible for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. Card numbers 20, 42 and 63 were dedicated to the Topps teams.
Topps produced 66 cards for 1961-62. The complete set is valued at $1500 with a common card going for $12. Each of the three team cards is valued at $40.
With the cards honouring the year before, the 1960-61 regular season was somewhat dismal for the three teams. The Bruins won just 15 of 70 games and finished dead last in the six team league, eleven points behind the fifth place Rangers.
New York was in turn twelve points behind fourth place Detroit. Boston and New York were the only two to not qualify for the post season. The Black Hawks did better, finishing third but a distance 17 points behind first place Montreal and 15 behind Toronto.
Chicago went on a tear in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Black Hawks took out the top seed Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in the semi-finals. Detroit also upset Toronto, making the final series a battle between the third and fourth seeds. The Black Hawks took the series in six games to win their first Stanley Cup since 1937-38. They would not win again until 2009-10.
Boston’s top goal scorer was Don McKenney with 26. Jerry Toppazzini led the Bruins in assists and points with 35 and 50. No Boston players won a major award, finished among the top ten scorers or filled a position on the First or Second All-Star Teams.
New York’s shining light was Andy Bathgate. Andy led the team in all offensive categories with 29 goals, 48 assists and 77 points. The 77 points placed him fourth in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, behind Bernie Geoffrion, Jean Beliveau and Frank Mahovlich.
Chicago placed two players on the Second All-Star Team. Glenn Hall filled the goaltender position and Pierre Pilote was on the blue line in front of him. Bobby Hull led the team in goals with 31, fifth in the NHL, while Bill Hay led the team in assists with 48 and points with 59.
Don’t forget that Willie O’Ree makes a cameo appearance on the Bruins card!
His only appearance on a hockey card during his playing days – good call!
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