Bobby Orr 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee 213

The 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee number 213 is the first hockey card showing Bobby Orr with the Chicago Blackhawks. The image on the front does not truly show him with his new team. Instead, the picture is from his Boston Bruins days and is doctored heavily with airbrushing.

Bobby Orr 1975-76

In his final year with the Bruins, Orr managed to play in just ten games due to his ongoing knee problems. However, over those ten games, Bobby was a tear. He scored five and assisted on 13 for 18 points.

If he'd appeared in all 80 games, he was on pace for 104 assists and 144 points and would have led the league in both categories. In reality, Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers led the National Hockey League with 89 assists and Guy Lafleur of the Montreal Canadiens won the Art Ross Trophy with 125 points.

1975-76 was the first time since 1966-67 that Bobby Orr's name was not engraved on the Norris Trophy. Instead, Denis Potvin of the New York Islanders was named the NHL's top defenseman. The last player to win before Bobby's eight year run was Harry Howell of the New York Rangers.

Don Cherry's Bruins still finished third overall, despite the loss of their top blue liner. Boston reached the semi-finals before bowing out to the Flyers. Philadelphia would then be swept in the Stanley Cup finals by the Canadiens.

As per the back of the 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee #213 Bobby Orr hockey card:

Despite his knee injuries, Bobby is destined to be one of hockey's all-time greatest performers. He won the Norris Trophy as best defenseman eight times in a row.

Bobby Orr 1976-77

 

 

In his debut season with the Blackhawks, Orr doubled his 1975-76 game total, playing in 20. Over those 20 games, he scored four and assisted on 19 for 23 points. He was on pace for nearly 80 assists over a full 80 game schedule. Guy Lafleur led the league with 80. Even playing just 20 games, Bobby had two more assists than teammate Dennis Hull. Hull appeared in 75 games.

Orr didn't appear in the post season for Chicago. The Blackhawks finished third in the lowly Smythe Division with just 63 points. They were tied with the Vancouver Canucks but squeeked into the playoffs with one more win. The team played just two games in the Stanley Cup playoffs, swept by the New York Islanders in the preliminary round.

Bobby spent time behind the Chicago bench over his lengthy injury time. He served as assistant coach, along with player/assistant Stan Mikita. Billy Reay started the year as head coach but was replaced by Bill White 35 games into the season.