The year 1984 saw the debut of one of the greatest players in NHL history, Mario Lemieux. Born in Montreal, Quebec in 1965, Lemieux quickly rose through the ranks of junior hockey, dominating the league with his impressive scoring abilities. His talent caught the attention of the NHL and he was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1984 Entry Draft.
Lemieux quickly made an impact in his rookie season, setting a new record for most points by a first-year player with 100 in 73 games. This feat earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year. He also led the Penguins to the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
His impressive rookie season caught the attention of O-Pee-Chee, a popular hockey trading card company, who featured Lemieux in their 1984-85 set. The image on the card shows a young Lemieux in his Penguins jersey, ready to take on the ice. The back of the card features his rookie season statistics, along with a short bio detailing his early accomplishments.
The O-Pee-Chee Lemieux card is highly sought after by collectors and is considered a must-have for any hockey card collection. Its iconic status is not only due to Lemieux’s superstar status but also because it was featured in the company’s first set released after the NHL and NHLPA came to an agreement to allow players to appear on trading cards.
The 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee set also marks Lemieux’s first official NHL card, making it even more significant. As a result, it has become a symbol of Lemieux’s early career and a reminder of his incredible talent and impact on the league.
In addition to the regular base card, O-Pee-Chee also released a few special variations of the Lemieux card. These variations include the “blank back” card, which has no text on the back, and the “error” card, which features Lemieux’s first name spelled incorrectly as “Mari”.
The Mario Lemieux 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee card is not only a valuable commodity in the world of collecting but also serves as a reminder of the incredible player that Lemieux was in his early years. His legacy would only continue to grow as he went on to win numerous awards and break records throughout his career, solidifying his place as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
Today, the Mario Lemieux 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee card remains one of the most iconic and highly regarded hockey cards among collectors. Its timeless design and representation of a young Lemieux’s rise to fame make it a highly coveted piece for any hockey fan.