1961-62 Topps 37 Denis DeJordy Hockey Card (Front)
1961-62 Topps 37 Denis DeJordy Hockey Card (Back)
Card Notes
Denis is a little goalie who’s considered the heir apparent to Glenn Hall. His first year out of juniors, 1959-60, he was named rookie of year with Sault Ste. Marie in Eastern Pro League. Last year he split time between that club and Buffalo. Then backed up Hall in playoffs.
Details
Playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds of the EPHL in 1959-60, Denis DeJordy did indeed earn rookie of the year honours. He appeared in 69 of the team’s 70 regular season games, posting a 3.74 goals against average. Unfortunately, the team finished fifth in the six team league and did not qualify for the post season.
In 1960-61, DeJordy did split the season between the Thunderbirds and the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League. However, the card fails to justify the season he had. Denis played 40 games for SSM and 33 more in the AHL for Buffalo for a total of 73 games played as a goalie. Definitely yeoman’s work.
Topps Jumped The Gun
Sure, Denis Dejordy did become a National Hockey League goaltender. But, it wasn’t in 1961-62. He did get into five games for the Blackhawks in 1962-63 and six more the year after. It wasn’t until the 1964-65 season that Denis got enough action to be considered a NHL rookie, playing 30 games between the pipes for Chicago.
His 1961-62 and 1962-63 seasons were not a waste, though. Full time with the Buffalo Bisons, Denis played the bulk of the team’s games. In 1961-62, he led the team to the Calder Cup final before losing to the Springfield Indians.
In 1962-63, DeJordy was awarded the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s most valuable player and the Harry ‘Hap’ Holmes Memorial Award as the league’s top goaltender. The Bisons captured the Calder Cup championship, beating the Hershey Bears in the final.
In 1966-67, with Glenn Hall as his backup (although both split the season fairly evenly), Denis won the Vezina Trophy. His NHL career would last until the 1973-74 season, also playing for the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings.
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