Bobby Orr Rookie Card: Vintage Hockey Card Gold

by Tom Sanworth

Bobby Orr starred in the National Hockey League from 1966-67 to 1978-79 with the Boston Bruins and briefly with the Chicago Blackhawks. Orr is considered by many to be the top defenseman to ever play the game. In his injury shortened career, Orr set records, some of which are still seemingly untouchable today. He also won enough hardware to overflow any trophy room.

The Ontario native played on two Bruins Stanley Cup winning teams in the early 1970’s, beginning his career by capturing the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. He twice won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading point-getter which is a feat no other defenseman has done even once in the history of the NHL. For eight years in a row, Orr was the hands down winner of the James Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the league. His selections as a First Team All-Star matched his Norris Trophy total. In 1979, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Just 31 at the time, he’s  the youngest to ever be bestowed this honor.

Orr’s 1966-67 rookie card is valued at $3000.  Ultra high grade examples have sold for much more.  His 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee and Topps card #100 is much less valuable and a lot more accessible to the collector of vintage hockey cards without a huge bankroll. Still, the -Pee-Chee version of the card is valued at $60 to $100 and the Topps version is half that price at $30 to $50. Condition plays a role, of course and the values are according to Beckett Hockey. Why is this card significant? As usual, the card features stats and information from the previous season. 1970-71 was a magical season in Orr’s magical career. Bobby played all 78 regular seasons for the Bruins scoring 37 goals and adding 102 assists for 139 points. The 102 assists and 139 points stand today as single seasons records for defensemen. His +124 that season is a record that is still intact for players of any position.

Orr was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player and was, of course, selected as a First Team All-Star. It goes without mentioning that he was the Norris Trophy winner that season, as well. All was for not, though, as the highly favoured Bruins were quickly eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

For the serious hockey fan and card collector, the 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee / Topps #100 is a must have. For the investor, it is as well. Bobby Orr is as blue chip as it gets in the hockey card world.

Tom is the author of Vintage Hockey Cards Report,  which provides current information on auction pricing of vintage hockey cards as well as articles on rare and valuable vintage hockey cards and profiles on the men that have been enshrined on the cardboard.