72-73 OPC Series 2 Team Canada Inserts - Phil Esposito

As far as forwards go, Canada really didn't have anyone better at the time and Phil certainly lived up to the challenge of being Canada's best forward. He was the fire, passion and identity of a team that was thrown together and had struggled at first. Without him, Canada wouldn't have stood a chance against a Russian team that certainly was executing a better "team" game than Canada at first. During his prime in the NHL Phil was a force (Phil had set the NHL record for goals just a year and a half previous with 76) and he showed that during the tournament leading it in goals (7), assists (6) and points (13). 

 When I saw this card I immediately thought of the Simpsons episode where Ralph is subjected to the "Big Book of British Smiles".

One neat fact about Phil is when he set the record for most goals in a season, he smashed the old record by 18 goals. In the history of the NHL, no time has the goals record ever increased as much as that. Also in a span of three seasons he took the NHL record for points in a year (97) and has raised it to 152. That record lasted for about a decade before Wayne rewrote the history books.

The Big Book of British Smiles from Phil Kulak on Vimeo.

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 2 Insert - Paul Henderson

Here is my second last 72-73 OPC Team Canada insert and one of the biggest names in the set. Not because of their NHL career but their impact in the tournament.

Paul defined his career in those 8 games and without his contribution I would hate to know what the outcome could have been! The Russians caught Canada with their pants down so to speak and clearly dominated most the series. Canada was lucky in some respects to win that series but as we all know, Russian had won the most respect.

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 3 Insert - Gilbert Perreault

Gilbert was still 21 years old when the Summit Series occurred thus making him one of the youngest players on the roster (the youngest of any players who saw ice-time). Maybe it was his skill that got him on the team, but it was his age that I think Harry Sinden felt was a negative in this international competition so as a result he didn't get the playing time many felt he deserved. After game 5 Perreault ended up leaving the team with Martin, Hatfield and Guevremont.

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 2 Insert - Stanislav Mikita

What I believe to be the biggest disappointment for Team Canada at the Summit Series was the absence of Bobby Orr. At the time, he was the best player on the planet. However, the next biggest disappointment I believe is the under-utilization of Stan Mikita. This guy had four Art Rosses, two Harts and a Stanley Cup yet at the age of 32 he was only used in 2 games. I think he could have had a huge impact (with all due respect Harry Sinden) however I guess it wasn't meant to be. Really a slap in the face if you ask me...

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 2 Insert - Jean-Paul Parise

Great to see Parise get a chance to play in this tournament. He didn't really tear the league up offensively and in fact was in the minors a number of years before getting his NHL shot. However, as you can see, he didn't disappoint putting up 4 points in 6 games and his best NHL season came right after playing in the Summit Series where he posted 27 goals and 75 points. 

Clearly Zach inherited a pretty good pedigree from his dad, too bad he will be playing for the US of A during the Sochi Olympics. I know Canada could use him, but you can't fault a kid for representing his birth place!

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 2 Insert - Gary Bergman

Even though he was never a superstar and he looks WAY older than 34 years old, Gary Bergman was a pretty productive member of Team Canada appearing in all 8 games. True many felt that Bergman shouldn't have even made the team given all the players Canada had, but injuries to players like Bobby Orr opened up a spot for Bergman and he was more than willing to step up. Coach Harry Sinden even called Bergman one of the biggest surprises in the tournament based on his contributions.

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 2 Insert - Pat Stapleton

Wow Wow Whitey! Here is card number 2 of my series of 72-73 Team Canada Inserts.

As you can see, maybe one of the least attractive floating heads you may come across in your lives....More tape residue like the Dryden.

As you can see on the back Stapleton played in almost all the games and even though he didn't supply much in the way of offense, he was a steady man on the back end. In his NHL career Stapleton was a more offensive threat including a season where he finished 5th overall in assists with 50!

72-73 OPC Team Canada Series 2 Insert - Ken Dryden

 First, who doesn't love the 72 Summit Series? Second, who doesn't love floating heads? Well if you love both, then I recommend the 72-73 OPC insert set. 28 floating heads of all your favourite Team Canada players.
Here is the checklist of the set:

1. Don Awrey
2. Red Berenson
3. Gary Bergman
4. Wayne Cashman
5. Bobby Clarke
6. Yvan Cournoyer
7. Ken Dryden
8. Ron Ellis
9. Phil Esposito
10. Tony Esposito
11. Rod Gilbert
12. Bill Goldsworthy
13. Vic Hadfield
14. Paul Henderson
15. Dennis Hull
16. Guy Lapointe
17. Frank Mahovlich
18. Pete Mahovlich
19. Stan Mikita
20. Jean-Paul Parise
21. Brad Park
22. Gilbert Perreault
23. Jean Ratelle
24. Mickey Redmond
25. Serge Savard
26. Rod Seiling
27. Pat Stapleton
28. Bill White

A pretty thorough list if you ask me, and they include players who may have only been in a game or two and the Series stars like Espo, Clarke and Henderson. The set books for about 300 dollars in strong condition, but deals can be had online that is for sure. Last summer I bought a bunch of these at my LCS (actually all the ones they had in stock) so I have about 28.5% of the set. My next series of posts will be my 72-73 Team Canada cards.

72-73 OPC Series 3 Team Canada Insert - Ken Dryden

Mr Burns might have had a serious issue with these side burns, but there is a young and fresh looking Ken Dryden. Sorry about the tape stains, they came free when the card. Booked  for 50, I paid 5. 

Here is the back side of the card, in pretty great shape actually, a great lengthy write-up in both of Canada's national languages and a summary of his series performance. Hard to believe with a 4.75 GAA he would have even won a single game let alone 2.

If you were like me and you are seeing these cards for the first time, you certainly would comment on how UG-LEE the fronts of them are. Looks like the rainbow forest on the front with a floating head in the middle. Then contrasting that is a very plain and simple back which is very text heavy. I actually have grown to like the fronts and the back are just awesome. Stats and facts, no frills. Thanks OPC!