1967-68 Topps 31 Jean Ratelle Hockey Card (Front)
1967-68 Topps 31 Jean Ratelle Hockey Card (Back)
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Card Notes
Audio Version:
Jean has been in the Ranger organization since Junior “A” with Guelph Biltmores. Did not play a full season last year because of injuries. Coach Emile Francis is counting heavily on this rangy centre this season.
En Français
Jean a été dans l’organisation des Rangers depuis le temps où il joua pour les Biltmores de Guelph, un club Junior “A”. Des blessures l’empêchèrent de jouer une saison complète l’an passé.
Details
After his injury shortened season in 1966-67, Jean Ratelle would be healthy and back full-time for 1967-68. He scored 32 goals and assisted on 46 for 78 points with the New York Rangers. This gave him the team lead in goals and a one point edge over Rod Gilbert for New York’s overall scoring lead.
Ratelle’s 32 goals in 1967-68 placed him seventh in the NHL, one ahead of Jean Beliveau and 12 behind leader Bobby Hull. In the race for the Art Ross Trophy, Jean finished fourth, just nine points behind leader Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Jean’s top offensive performance was still a few year away. In 1971-72, he scored 46 goals and assisted on 63 for 109 points, all career highs. He was fifth in the NHL for goal scoring, third in assists and third in overall scoring behind Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr. Sitting just two minor penalties, Ratelle was the Lady Byng Trophy winner by a wide margin. It was his first of two times winning the award.
In all, Jean Ratelle played 1,281 regular season and 123 Stanley Cup playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1960-61 and 1980-81 with the Rangers and Boston Bruins. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. Jean’s jersey number 19 was retired by the New York Rangers in 2018.
Jean Ratelle 1967-68 Topps 31 [YouTube Shorts]
