Bobby Orr 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee 129

Number 129 in the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee NHL set is the regular card of Bobby Orr. The other Orr card in the set is an action card. In the 1972-73 Topps set, there is a regular Bobby Orr hockey card and one showing him as a First Team All-Star.

On the back, it's not the only time O-Pee-Chee referred to him as 'Mr. Everything'. The card noted that he was MVP over the past three seasons. In fact, these would be the only three times that Orr would win the Hart Trophy despite his incredible success. It also notes that 'Bobby relaxes by going fishing'. This is a pastime he notes passionately in his autobiography, Orr: My Story.

 

As per the back of the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee #129:

“Mr. Everything” in the NHL is destined to become one of the greatest stars in the league history. Acknowledged to be leader of the fearsome Boston attack. Bobby has been in the NHL's most valuable player three straight years.

Bobby Orr 1971-72

As noted on the back of the card, Orr scored 37 and assisted on 80 for 117 points over 76 regular season games in 1971-72. Bobby led the league in assists with 13 more than teammate Phil Esposito. He finished second in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, behind just Esposito and his 133 points. Orr came away with the Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy.

 

In the playoffs, Bobby scored five and assisted on 19 for 24 points over 15 games. The Bruins took five games to dispatch the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round before sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the semi-finals. Boston met up with the New York Rangers in the finals and six games later hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years.

Bobby Orr 1972-73

Orr caught the injury bug and appeared in just 63 regular season games for the Bruins in 1972-73. Yet, he still chalked up 29 goals and 72 assists for 101 points. His assist total was three behind NHL leader Phil Esposito. Bobby placed third in the league for points, three behind Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers and 29 behind Esposito. He was one point ahead of Rick MacLeish of the Flyers.

Without Gerry Cheevers in net, the Bruins fell in the opening round to the Rangers. New York won easily four games to one, outscoring Boston 22-11. In goal was Ed Johnston as the number with Jacques Plante, Ross Brooks and John Adams all seeing action.