1970-71 O-Pee-Chee 68 Eddie Giacomin Hockey Card (Front)
1970-71 O-Pee-Chee 68 Ed Giacomin Hockey Card (Back)
1970-71 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
After six seasons in the American Hockey League, Ed finally made it with the Rangers and coincidentally the Rangers have improved since his arrival. His first full season with New York, Eddie was named All-Star Goalie. Last season, he posted his lowest goals against average since turning pro.
En Français
Après six saisons dans la Ligue américaine, Ed fut finalement accepté par les Rangers et par coincidence, les Rangers se sont améliorés depuis son arrivée. Après sa première saison complète à New York, Eddie fut nommé gardien de but étoile. La saison dernière, il eut sa meilleure moyenne de buts contre depuis ses débuts comme professionnel.
Details
It’s true. Ed Giacomin became the number one goalie with the New York Rangers during the 1965-66 season. That year, the Blue Shirts finished the regular season with just 47 points. The following year, 1966-67, that number improved to 72 and New York reached the post season for the first time in five years. The point totals kept increasing and topped out with a pair of 109 point season in 1970-71 and 1971-72.
Eddie was a force that kept the Rangers participating in the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons between 1966-67 and 1974-75. The would not qualify in 1975-76, the year Giacomin moved to the Detroit Red Wings. Although there were no championships, New York did reach the final in 1971-72 before falling to the mighty Boston Bruins.
As for All-Star selections, Giacomin was a First Team All-Star goaltender in that first full 1966-67 NHL season and again in 1970-71. He was a Second Team All-Star in three consecutive seasons from 1967-68 to 1969-70. In 1970-71, Eddie and Gilles Villemure combined for the Vezina Trophy.
His 2.36 goals against average in 1969-70 was his best, to date. Giacomin would put up a career best 2.16 GAA in 1970-71. Over 610 career regular season games, he posted a 2.82 GAA with 53 shutouts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.