Bobby Orr 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee 100

He was in the prime of his career. Who would think that Bobby Orr had just one season of productive hockey left. His 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee number 100 hockey card shows the greatest hockey player in the National Hockey League at the time. A defenseman coming off a 122 point season and heading into a 135 point campaign.

Bobby Orr 1973-74

In 1973-74, Orr scored 32 and assisted on 90 for 122 points. Bobby was second to Phil Esposito's 145 points. Along with teammate Ken Hodge, they were the only three to break 100 points that season. Another teammate Wayne Cashman rounded out an all Boston top four. Orr's 90 assists led the NHL.

Bobby came away with his seventh consecutive Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman. This fact is noted on the back of the 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee card. He would win again in 1974-75 and the streak would end at eight. Orr was denied both the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy with both going to Phil Esposito.

The Bruins swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round before taking out the Chicago Blackhawks in the semi-finals. In the Stanley Cup finals, Boston lost in six to the Philadelphia Flyers. In the playoffs, Orr scored four and assisted on 14 for 18 points over 16 games.

 

 

As per the back of the 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee 100 Bobby Orr hockey card:

Boston's “Mr. Everything” and the biggest gate attraction in the NHL. Bobby can do wonders with the puck. Despite being a defenseman, he is always near the top of the league's scoring columns. He is the best puck rusher in the NHL. His style has virtually changed the game. He's destined to become perhaps the greatest player in hockey history.

Bobby Orr 1974-75

It would turn out to be his swansong year. Orr played all 80 regular season games for the Bruins, scoring 46 and assisting on 89 for 135 points. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer. Bobby was also honoured with the Norris Trophy one last time and the Lester B. Pearson Trophy as league MVP as voted by the players. However, it was Bobby Clarke of the Flyers taking home the Hart Trophy.

Orr's 46 goals put his sixth in the league with Esposito leading the way with 61. His 89 assists tied him for the lead with Bobby Clarke. Bobby had an eight point edge over Esposito in points.

In Don Cherry's first year as Boston's head coach, the Bruins finished fifth overall in the 18 team league. However, the team fell in the preliminary round to the Chicago Blackhawks. Orr had a goal and five assists over the three game series.

After 1974-75, Orr's career fizzled due to countless knee operations. He played just ten games for the Bruins in 1975-76, 20 games for the Blackhawks in 1976-77 and six games for Chicago in 1978-79.