1968 69 O Pee Chee Hockey
For hockey fans and collectors alike, the 1968-69 O Pee Chee Hockey season is a fascinating period in NHL history. This was the year that saw the league expand to 12 teams, with the addition of the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was also a time when the Original Six teams were still dominating the league, with the Montreal Canadiens winning their third consecutive Stanley Cup.
Team Rosters
Each of the 12 teams in the 1968-69 season had a unique roster of players, including some of the biggest names in hockey history. Here are the team rosters for the year:
- Boston Bruins
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Detroit Red Wings
- Los Angeles Kings
- Minnesota North Stars
- Montreal Canadiens
- New York Rangers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- St. Louis Blues
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Oakland Seals
Player Stats
As with any NHL season, the 1968-69 O Pee Chee Hockey year was full of impressive individual performances. Here are some of the top player stats from the season:
- Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins led all defensemen in scoring with 64 points.
- Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer with 86 points.
- Gerry Cheevers of the Boston Bruins had the best goals against average in the league at 2.17.
- Jude Drouin of the Montreal Canadiens led all rookies in scoring with 35 points.
Notable Moments
The 1968-69 O Pee Chee Hockey season was full of memorable moments and milestones. Here are a few highlights:
- Expansion teams the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins played their first NHL games.
- Bobby Orr became the first defenseman to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.
- The Montreal Canadiens won their third consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating the St. Louis Blues in the finals.
- Chicago Blackhawks forward Bobby Hull became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season.
Hockey Cards and Collectibles
For collectors, the 1968-69 O Pee Chee Hockey season was an important one for hockey cards and other memorabilia. Some of the most notable items from this season include:
- 1968-69 O Pee Chee hockey cards, which featured many of the top players from across the league.
- Game-worn jerseys and equipment from players such as Bobby Orr, Stan Mikita, and Jean Beliveau.
- Autographed pucks and photos from some of the biggest names in hockey history.
Overall, the 1968-69 O Pee Chee Hockey season was a pivotal moment in NHL history, with the league expanding and some of the game's greatest players making their mark on the sport. Whether you're a collector or simply a fan of hockey history, this season is well worth exploring further.