As usual, the 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee hockey card set celebrated the achievements of the previous season. 1969-70 is still remembered as one of the most historically significant seasons in National Hockey League history. It is definitely one of the most significant years according to any Boston Bruins fan.
The Bruins have won six Stanley Cup championships since entering the league for the 1924-25 season. They had won three previous to 1969-70 but had not won since 1940-41. Boston was coming off an eight year stint from 1959-60 to 1966-67 when they didn’t qualify for the post season. Suddenly, in 1969-70, Boston fans had a powerhouse in their hands. That powerhouse was led by Bobby Orr.
Orr created unprecedented history in 1969-70. In his fourth year in the NHL, Bobby scored 33 goals and assisted on 87 for 120 points. The 87 assists was, at the time, an NHL record. His 120 points led the league and he became the first defenseman in league history to win the Art Ross Trophy. He is still the only D-man to do this. His closest competitor that season was teammate Phil Esposito who finished 21 points behind with 99. Not only did he win the Art Ross, but also the Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy. Bobby is the only player in NHL history to win four major awards in a single season.
Boston had finished first in the East Division and first overall in the NHL with 99 points. Chicago also finished with 99 but was relegated to second seed. The East was tight with just seven points separating fifth place Montreal and first place Boston. Despite finishing with six more points than the St. Louis Blues (the first place team in the West), Montreal was eliminated from post season play.
Bobby continued his dominance into the post season, contributing 20 points in 14 games. Boston met the New York Rangers in the opening round and dispatched their rivals in six games. The Bruins then met the Chicago Black Hawks in the semi-finals. Despite the numbers during the regular season, Boston swept the series to advance to the finals. The Bruins then swept the St. Louis Blues to capture the Stanley Cup.
O-Pee-Chee honoured Bobby Orr large in their 1970-71 set. Six cards exist from that year with his face on the front. There are four trophy cards, a First Team All-Star card and his regular card. All Bobby Orr hockey cards that year, but his regular card, are valued at $60 each. The 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee number 3 card is valued at $200, the most valuable player card in the 264 card set.
As for Orr, the following season brought even greater numbers with 37 goals and 102 assists for 139 points in 78 games. The assist and point totals remain today as NHL records for defensemen. However, Bobby was awarded just the Norris and Hart trophy that season. Phil Esposito won the Art Ross with 152 points and the Bruins were upset in the playoffs after dominating the regular season.
Bobby went on to win the Norris eight times, the Hart three times, the Art Ross and Conn Smythe twice each. He was also a Calder Trophy winner in 1966-67. After his playing career was cut short in 1978-79 due to knee injuries, Orr was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame with the class of 1979.