So, not including Gretzky, who does have the most valuable rookie card in the 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee series? It’s not Bobby Smith of the Minnesota North Stars or Charlie Simmer of the Los Angeles Kings, two members of the upper-middle class of NHL hockey. It was none other than Barry Melrose of the Winnipeg Jets!
Please keep in mind that most valuable in this case means $10. The Barry Melrose rookie card, number 386 in the series, out-values Smith and Simmer by $4 (according to Beckett Hockey Monthly). My guess is because every kid in 1980 instantly put this card in the garbage upon receiving one in a wax pack. I would imagine that the stale stick of gum was enjoyed more. Once again, just a guess, this would make Barry’s RC somewhat of a rarity.
Melrose played two years of junior hockey in the WHL with the Kamloops Chiefs, 1974-75 and 1975-76. The Chiefs spent a short period of time in Kamloops before being relocated to Seattle where they are currently known as the Thunderbirds. Melrose returned to his roots in 1988-89 to coach the Thunderbirds for one season. The team didn’t enjoy much success, not qualifying for the post-season.
Unfortunately for Melrose, he was drafted by the mighty Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft. An english, tough-guy defenseman from Saskatchewan didn’t have much chance of cracking the Habs lineup in the 1970’s. He chose the WHA instead, signing as a free agent with the Cincinnati Stingers. He played three years with the Stingers, a member right until the end of the World Hockey Association after the 1978-79 season.
Barry played 300 regular season games in the National Hockey League from 1979-80 until 1985-86. He began with the Winnipeg Jets, stopped off in Toronto and played for the Maple Leafs and finished up with the Detroit Red Wings. His career NHL totals included 10 goals, 33 points and 728 minutes spent in the sin bin.
He coached in the NHL for two full seasons, 1992-93 and 1993-94. In his first season as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, with the help of Wayne Gretzky, the Kings made the Stanley Cup finals before being downed by the Montreal Canadiens. The following season, the team tanked and finished with just 66 points. He coached 41 games into the 1994-95 season before being given the hook. His NHL coaching career was revived in 2008-09 as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This venture lasted just 16 games.
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