Bobby Orr 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee 24

The back of Bobby Orr's 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee #24 hockey card says he scores like a forward. Well, if you could transport back in time to 1969, you would have no idea how true that statement was. The card celebrates his 1968-69 season when Orr scored 21 and totalled 64 points. In 1969-70, that point total nearly doubled and he did the unthinkable for a defenseman. Orr would lead the National Hockey League in scoring in 1969-70, earning the Art Ross Trophy.

This vintage hockey card is also featured at our online collection: Bobby Orr 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee 24

1969-70 O-Pee-Chee 24

This hockey card followed up Bobby's third year in the NHL. O-Pee-Chee refers to him as the NHL's Mr. Everything, a title they would give him several times more in the years to come. The back of the card also states that he's already won more hardware that most players would receive in an entire career. That trophy count would more than double with his 1969-70 season.

As per the back of the 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee #24 hockey card:

Age means nothing to Bobby Orr. He's already the NHL's “Mr. Everything,” and has won more trophies in three seasons than most players manage in a career. He scores like a forward and has been able to rebound from injuries.

Bobby Orr 1968-69

In 1968-69, Orr scored an, at the time, respectable 21 goals along with 43 assists for 64 points over 67 games. Not quite to the standard the following year would bring, Bobby appeared in the top ten only for his 133 penalty minutes, a career high. He was ninth in the NHL for PIM. His only personal accolade was the Norris Trophy as top defenseman, his second of eight consecutive.

The Bruins swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Boston outscored Toronto 24-5 on the series, powered by 10-0 and 7-0 shutouts in the first two games. The team then lost in the semi-finals to the eventual champions, the Montreal Canadiens, in six games. However, the Bruins outscored the Habs 16-15 on the series with games one, two and six decided in overtime. In fact, game six went halfway through the second overtime period before Montreal ended it.

For Boston, it was their first playoff series win since 1957-58. That year, they beat out the New York Rangers in the semi-finals before losing to the powerful Canadiens in the finals. Orr didn't disappoint in the playoffs with eight points over the ten games.

Bobby Orr 1969-70

 

The hockey world was turned upside down in 1969-70. Bobby set standards that were simply unheard of. Over 76 games, he scored 33 and assisted on 87 for 125 points. He led the league in points, 21 more than second place Phil Esposito. He led the league in assists, 31 more than his teammate Esposito. Even his 33 goals tied him for eighth in the NHL with Red Berenson of the St. Louis Blues and Dave Balon of the New York Rangers. His 125 penalty minutes were good for ninth in the league.

Along with the Art Ross Trophy, Orr took home the Art Ross Trophy as MVP, the Norris Trophy as top blue liner and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The Bruins won the Stanley Cup, sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the finals. It was Boston's first Cup win since 1940-41. Bobby scored nine and assisted on eleven for 20 points over 14 playoff games.