1976-77 O-Pee-Chee NHL Hockey Cards

The 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee NHL set consists of 396 hockey cards with a complete collection valued at around $300. This is the first set showing players with the Cleveland Barons, but not wearing Cleveland’s colours. However, the Topps sister set shows the same players as still members of the California Golden Seals.

The top rookie card and most valuable card in the entire set is number 115 belonging to Bryan Trottier of the New York Islanders. The first Bobby Orr hockey card with him not as a member of the Boston Bruins is the second most valuable. Orr is shown as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Other significant rookie cards in the 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee set include Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams of the Maple Leafs, Dennis Maruk of the Barons and Doug Jarvis of the Montreal Canadiens.

1976-77 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist

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1976-77 NHL Season

The National Hockey League was an 18 team league with two franchises finding new homes. The California Golden Seals moved to Ohio to become the Cleveland Barons while the Kansas City Scouts went to Denver to become the Colorado Rockies. A change of venue didn’t help as both clubs did not qualify for the post season.

The Montreal Canadiens dominated the regular season with 60 wins and just eight losses. Their 132 points gave the Habs a very comfortable twenty point edge over the second place overall Philadelphia Flyers. They also dominated most of the individual awards with Guy Lafleur taking home the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy while Larry Robinson was awarded the Norris. Ken Dryden and Michel Larocque shared the Vezina.

The dominance continued into the playoffs. The Canadiens swept the St. Louis Blues in the quarter-final while also sweeping the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup final. In between, their semi-final series with the New York Islanders went six games. It was Montreal’s second of four consecutive championships.

Rookie Don Murdoch of the New York Rangers made his mark early in the campaign with five goals on October 12, 1976 in a 10-4 road win over the Minnesota North Stars. He tied Howie Meeker’s rookie record for most goals in a game, a record that still stands today. Murdoch fired ten shots on Minnesota goalie Gary Smith in what was just New York’s fourth game of the 1976-77 NHL season.

Not to outdone, Ian Turnbull of the Toronto Maple Leafs also had a five goal night. On February 2, 1977, the Buds were rude hosts to the Detroit Red Wings, taking down their guests 9-1. Turnbull became the first player to score five goals on just five shots. He also set the record for most goals by a defenseman in a game, a record that also still stands today. Ed Giamcomin was the victim for the first two goals while Jim Rutherford was in the nets for Turnbull’s final three goals.

Bernie Federko is the only member of the Hockey Hall of Fame to make his NHL debut in 1976-77. Pat Quinn is the only member to play his final games that year. Quinn entered the Hall posthumously in 2016 in the Builder category.

1976-77 NHL Standings

1976-77 NHL Scoring Leaders