1971-72 O-Pee-Chee NHL Hockey Cards

The 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee NHL hockey card set consists 264 cards featuring players from the 14 teams in the league at the time. The Topps version contains half as many at 132 cards and is missing important pieces like the Guy Lafleur and Marcel Dionne rookie cards.

The Ken Dryden rookie card is the highlight of the 1971-72 set, with Lafleur and Dionne not far behind in importance. Of course, the Bobby Orr card ranks high in monetary value.

Also a feature in this set are two retirement cards. The careers of both Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau are commemorated with special cards, in the OPC set only. Both were fast-tracked for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, without the usual three year waiting period.

However, Howe’s card (and retirement) was premature, returning to major league pro hockey for the 1973-74 season. Gordie played in the World Hockey Association until the league was swallowed by the NHL after the 1978-79 season. Howe then played one more campaign in the National Hockey League for 1979-80 with the Hartford Whalers.

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1971-72 NHL Season

1971-72 was the last year that the National Hockey League would stand alone in the major leagues of hockey, at least until 1979-80. The World Hockey Association would start up for 1972-73 and many NHL players, including some big names, would jump ship.

The Boston Bruins dominated the regular season, winning 54 games and totaling 119 points, ten better than the second place New York Rangers. The Rangers and Bruins dominated the race for the Art Ross Trophy with each team placing three players in the top ten. Ultimately, it was Phil Esposito that took the crown with 133 points.

Of note, the Philadelphia Flyers did not qualify for the post season. Both the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins tied with 66 points with the Pens squeaking into the playoffs with the tie-breaker. Philadelphia would not miss the playoffs again until the 1989-90 season.

Like the regular season, the playoffs were dominated by the Bruins and Rangers. Boston took out the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues to reach the final, losing just a single game to Toronto along the way. New York took out the Montreal Canadiens before sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks to earn their shot against the Bruins.

In the final, it was Boston winning their second Stanley Cup championship in three years, taking out the Rangers in six games. The Bruins were never down in the series, holding 2-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 3-2 leads before eliminating the Rangers in a 3-0 game six on the road at Madison Square Garden.

Along with the Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy, Bobby Orr was also awarded the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. The iconic blue liner had an incredible 24 points on five goals and 19 assists over 15 playoff games.

1971-72 was an important year for newcomers. Future Hockey Hall of Fame members that played their first games include: Marcel Dionne, Billy Smith and Guy Lafleur. Other important players joining the league include: Terry O’Reilly, Rick Martin and Dave Schultz.

It was the end of the line for greats Dick Duff, Bob Pulford and Don Marshall. John McKenzie, Eric Nesterenko, J.C. Tremblay, Ted Green and several others would play their final NHL games but would continue on in the World Hockey Association.

1971-72 NHL Standings

1971-72 NHL Scoring Leaders