1971-72 O-Pee-Chee 175 Reg Leach Hockey Card (Front)
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee 175 Reg Leach Hockey Card (Back)
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
Third choice and first by Bruins in 1970 Amateur Draft, Reg didn’t get the ice time he would have with any other club in 1970-71 because of the depth of the Bruins’ bench in their record season. The speedy winger, however, is definitely a key factor in Bruins’ future plans. Nicknamed ‘Little Beaver’ by teammates because of being part Indian.
En Français
Repêché par les Bruins lors du repêchage des amateurs de 1970. Comme les Bruins avaient beaucoup de bons joueurs, Reg n’eut pas la chance de passer beaucoup de temps sur la glace. Cet ailier droit rapide devrait toutefois faire ses preuves pour les Bruins. Surnommé “Petit Castor” par ses coéquipiers à cause de son origine partiellement indienne.
Details
The nickname, which was mentioned twice on the back of this 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Reg Leach hockey card, thankfully didn’t stick. “The Chief” was often used but the best and most appropriate is “The Riverton Rifle”.
This is Leach’s rookie card and only one depicting him as a member of the Boston Bruins. He played 56 games for the Bruins in 1971-72 before being traded to the California Golden Seals on February 23, 1972. Bob Stewart and Rick Smith were traded with him. Carol Vadnais and Don O’Donoghue went in the other direction in this coast to coast transaction.
Between 1970-71 and 1982-83, Reg Leach played 934 regular season and 94 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, California Seals, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. He led the NHL with 61 goals in 1975-76, long before the Rocket Richard Trophy was introduced. Inexplicably, Leach remains on the outside of the Hockey Hall of Fame, looking in.