1971-72 O-Pee-Chee 78 Tom Webster Hockey Card (Front)
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee 78 Tom Webster Hockey Card (Back)
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
Detroit dealt for Webster in June, 1970 when Boston was unable to protect Tom. Despite several injuries he had consecutive 29 goal years in the Central League with Oklahoma City. Tom was leading candidate for rookie of the year honors. Speedy and good scorer.
En Français
Détroit obtint Webster en juin 1970 quand Boston fut incapable de le protéger. En dépit de plusieurs blessures, il eut des années consécutives de 29 buts dans la Ligue Centrale avec Oklahoma City. Fit très bonne figure comme recrue. Rapide et bon compteur.
Details
Tom Webster’s short-lived National Hockey League career was somewhat complicated. Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1966, Webster played just nine games for the Bruins in 1968-69 and two more in 1969-70. On June 10, 1970, he was the first overall pick at the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. However, the very same day, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for goaltender Roger Crozier.
1970-71 was his only full season in the NHL but he made the best of it. As a rookie, Tom scored 30 goals and assisted on 37 for 67 points with the Red Wings. He placed fourth in the voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year behind winner Gilbert Perreault, along with Jude Drouin and Gilles Villemure.
The following year, 1971-72, Webster would play just five games with Detroit, his last with the club. On October 22, 1971, he was traded to the Oakland Seals for Ron Stackhouse. He appeared in just seven games with the Seals, his last in the NHL with exception to a single game played in 1979-80 with Detroit.
Webster jumped to the WHA for the Rebel League’s inaugural 1972-73 season. He played 352 regular season and 43 playoff games in the league between 1972-73 and 1977-78, all with the New England Whalers. He has since been inducted into the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame.