1964-65 Topps NHL Hockey Cards

The 1964-65 Topps set consists of 110 hockey cards featuring players from all six NHL clubs. These vintage Topps hockey cards are nicknamed ‘Tall Boys’ with the cards measuring 4.5 inches high while retaining the standard 2.5 inch width. The unusual size and the scarcity of cards numbered from 56 to 110 makes this an extremely valuable collection.

Not heavy in star first year players, the most valuable rookie cards belong to Pit Martin (Detroit Red Wings), Gary Dornhoefer (Boston Bruins) and Marcel Paille (New York Rangers). Less important rookies are Roger Crozier (Red Wings), Jim Pappin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Lou Angotti (Rangers) and Rod Seiling (Rangers). The usual suspects are at the top in value, including Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Tim Horton and Stan Mikita.

The 110 cards in the set were a significant increase over 1963-64 when Topps put out just 66 hockey cards. The reason for this is that it was the first year without Parkhurst as a competitor and the NHL was no longer split down the middle between the two companies. Topps, for the first time, had to feature players from all six teams. Prior to this set, Parkhurst typically featured players from the Maple Leafs, Canadiens and Red Wings while Topps took the Bruins, Blackhawks and Rangers.

1964-65 Topps NHL Checklist

1964-65 NHL Standings

1964-65 NHL Scoring Leaders

1964-65 NHL Season

13 points separated the top 4 teams in the National Hockey League in 1964-65, the only four teams to qualify for the post season in the six team league. The remainder, the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins were 22 and 26 points out of a playoff spot respectively.

The Detroit Red Wings finished first overall with a modest 87 points, fueled by the return of Ted Lindsay. Terrible Ted was making a comeback after four years away from the NHL. He previously played is last game for the Red Wings in 1956-57. Detroit finished with just a four point edge over the Montreal Canadiens.

In the playoffs, the Chicago Blackhawks upset the Wings in the opening round with the series going the full seven games. The other semi-final series saw the Montreal Canadiens oust the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games. The final series went the full seven with the home team winning each game (Montreal had home ice advantage). Jean Beliveau of the Habs was named the first ever Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

Stan Mikita of the Blackhawks won the Art Ross Trophy with 87 points, four more than Norm Ullman of the Red Wings. Ullman would have won the Rocket Richard Trophy if it existed at the time, leading the NHL with 42 goals. A young Phil Esposito started to flex his offensive muscle, finishing tied for ninth in scoring as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bobby Hull of the Blackhawks finished fourth in the race for the Art Ross Trophy after missing nine games. However, the Golden Jet was honoured with the Hart Trophy as MVP and the Lady Byng Trophy as the most gentlemanly, along with being named a First Team All-Star.