1962-63 Topps NHL Hockey Cards

The 1962-63 Topps set consists of 66 hockey cards featuring players from the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers. The top three valued cards belong to Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks and the checklist card. The checklist falls as number 66 in the set and is valued high like many of its kind in the 1960’s. In fact, the 1962-63 Topps checklist was just the second of its kind, with the first checklist card appearing as number 66 in the 1961-62 Topps set.

This was the second year that Topps included team picture cards in the set. The team pictures of the Blackhawks, Bruins and Rangers did not include a player checklist on the back or a list of team leaders, something would become the normal in years to come. Instead, on the back was a short one paragraph snippet about the team, mostly talking about ownership and management.

There are no overpowering rookie cars in the set. The most valuable belong to Bruce Gamble, Chico Maki, Bob Perreault, Jim Neilson and Vic Hadfield. High value cards included the usual suspects: John Bucyk, Glenn Hall, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert.

1962-63 Topps NHL Checklist

1962-63 Topps NHL Complete Collection [Video]

1962-63 NHL Standings

1962-63 NHL Scoring Leaders

1962-63 NHL Season

The equality in the National Hockey League was at it’s peak in 1962-63, at least among the top four teams. With the dynasty of the Montreal Canadiens in the rear view mirror, the Habs, Maple Leafs, Red Wings and Blackhawks all had a legitimate shot at a championship.

Toronto finished first overall in the six team league with 82 points but fourth place Detroit was just five points behind. Chicago missed first place by just a single point. New York and Boston were well behind with the Rangers 21 points out of a playoff spot and the Bruins eleven points behind them.

Despite how close the standings were, the playoffs were a bit anti-climatic. Non of the sets went the full seven games and two of the three were decided in five games. Detroit upset Chicago in one of the semis while Toronto easily handled Montreal in the other series, shutting out the Habs in two of the five games.

In the Stanley Cup final, the Maple Leafs won the championship in five games over the Red Wings. Dave Keon led the way in the playoffs for Toronto with seven goals and 12 points over ten games. In usual Keon fashion, he had 0 penalty minutes. Frank Mahovlich, who led the team in scoring during the regular season, contributed just two assists. Playing all ten games between the pipes for Toronto was Johnny Bower.

It was a Maple Leafs year but on an individual basis, 1962-63 was all about Gordie Howe. Mr. Hockey took the Art Ross with 86 points, five more than second place Andy Bathgate. He also led the NHL with 38 goals. Howe took the Hart Trophy with more than double the votes than second place Stan Mikita. Gordie was also named a First Team All-Star.

Other award winners: Calder Trophy – Kent Douglas (Toronto), Norris Trophy – Pierre Pilote (Chicago), Lady Byng Trophy – Dave Keon (Toronto), Vezina Trophy – Glenn Hall (Chicago).

The only future member of the Hockey Hall of Fame to make his debut in 1962-63 was Jacques Laperriere of the Montreal Canadiens. Other greats that are not quite HHOF worthy that began their NHL career include: Paul Henderson, Ed Johnston, Jim Neilson and Terry Harper.