90/91 Score Young Superstars # 2

# 2 Brian Leetch

Young--22 years old  

Superstar--an exceptional talent, widely recognized and eagerly sought after for their services

Regular season

GP 1205  G 247  A  781  Pts 1028 PIM 571 

Playoffs

GP 95    G  28   A  69     Pts. 97     PIM  36

Played in NHL All-Star Game 1990 1991 1992 1994 1996 1997 1998 2001 2002 2003

Stanley Cup 1994

Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame 2009

Already with 3 years in the league, he's still young in my books. Along with the achievements listed above, he won the Norris twice, Smythe and Calder once each. He won an Olympic silver medal, a gold at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the 1994 Stanley Cup. Inducted into the U.S. and HHOF. Quite a list which were well deserved.

The key to his game was his mobility and vision. He was a terrific skater and stickhandler, sidestepping the forechecker and making the breakout pass. Overcame his smallish size with timing and positioning and could be physical when required.
.

 1994 Game 7 Goal

My consensus,

Young and a superstar.

So far, Score is 1/2.

90/91 Score Young Superstars

Now that my previous posting project is over, I have settled into doing another "series"  During the junk wax/over production era, card companies released products just because they could. Since Score had an exclusive deal with Eric Lindros, they found ways to issue cards of him. I'll review the set below leading up to the last card, The Big E.


Besides their main set, Score released this glossy box set, 90/91 Score Young Superstars. Contains 40 NHL Player Cards (says so right on the box). 

I will review all 40 cards and determine whether I indeed received 40 "young superstars" as promised.

In keeping up with the rink theme, box has blue line and red line motif.

Checklist on back.

# 1 Pierre Turgeon

Young--21 years old  

Superstar--an exceptional talent, widely recognized and eagerly sought after for their services

Regular season

GP 1294  G  515  A  812  Pts 1327 PIM 452

Playoffs

GP109    G  35    A  62     Pts. 97     PIM  36

Played in All-Star Game.1990 1993 1994 1996 2000

In regular society, he would still be kid. In the NHL , he was a veteran.  Over 50% of NHL players play less than 100 career games  and for about 5 %, it's their only game. Roughly 4% play over 1000 games.

To me, he had the ability and the talent but not the desire to be a true superstar. To me, this was proven by his actions during the 1987 World Junior Championship.  During the infamous Punchup in Piestany, he was the only skater left on the bench. This left one of his teammates double teamed. Yes, maybe he was not a fighter but how can you sit on the bench watching this and not want to do something for the Maple Leaf on the front of your jersey.

He was also involved in another on-ice incident. After scoring a series clinching goal for the 92/93 Islanders , he was crosschecked from behind by Washington's Dale Hunter. He suffered a separated shoulder and Hunter was suspended 21 games.

 These incidents likely played a part in Pierre's demeanor on the ice.

So yes, Young,  but to me, no Superstar here. I never followed him that closely and was surprised that he was over a point a game during his career. I would put him on the superstar fringe, somewhat like how he played.

Do you consider Pierre Turgeon a Superstar?

OK Blue Jays Lets Play Ball

As the name of my blog suggests, Hockey Kazi, I'm a big time hockey guy. A look at my Zistle collection at this moment shows 97,594 hockey cards. This does include doubles, triples and stuff from the junk wax era. By comparison, my baseball total is 18,860. A friend of mine, whom I also coached baseball with, is strictly a Blue Jays collector. No buying packs or boxes for this guy. He's got everything in binders and complete checklists and wantlists. Now I did pick up Blue Jays cards here and there and do have a nice little PC going on. This is a shout out to the following who have helped me recently with bubble mailers and a flat rate box.  Jeff at 2 x 3 Heroes, Greg at Night Owl Cards, Brian at HSCA, Drew at drewcards. Tony at Off Hiatus Baseball Cards, Pat at Hot Cards, Paul at Pauls Random Baseball Stuff and Colbey have all sent great additions to my now Blue Jay PC. There's some much goodness I could scan but I'll forego it this time. I know its been a long time and I haven't thanked anybody, so THANK YOU. Now that my Maple Leafs are entering the next season (off-season, that is) I may concentrate more on my Jays collection. 

On that note, I will leave you with this.

As Gil Renard says "Let's play some baseball"

This Day in NHL History 2000 April 8

April 08

Nik Antropov had a goal as the Toronto Maple Leafs surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time in team history, with a 4-2 win against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.

00/01 Pacific # 384

Obtained blue sharpie auto from pack

362/366 is the final tally.

And that's a wrap. No, not the end of my blog (even though some may want it).
 

My This Day in NHL History project has ended. As a reminder, I tried to post an autographed item from my PC for an event thta happened on that day.
 This is the second year long one I've attempted, the first being my Today's Birthday feature which ran in 2012/13. I'm still amazed that I have enough different player autographs to feature on a daily basis. Sure brings back a lot of memories. I'm sure most hounders remember the IP experience. It puts that personal touch to the autograph that can't be replicated.

Time to move on but the final word brought to you by

The Doors

This Day in NHL History 1979 April 7

April 07

Pierre Mondou recorded his second career hat trick and picked up an assist as the Canadiens won 10-3 against the visiting Washington Capitals.

78/79 OPC # 102 RC

Obtained blue ink auto IP.

This Day in NHL History 1980 April 6

April 06

Peter McNab scored his 6th career hat trick in a 4-2 Bruins' win over the Minnesota North Stars, at Boston Garden.

76/77 OPC # 118

Obtained blue ink auto IP.

This Day in NHL History 1981 April 5

April 05

Defenseman Bob Murray scored a goal and added three assists to lead the Black Hawks to an 8-4 win over the visiting Minnesota North Stars.

80/81 OPC # 181

Obtained blue ink sig TTM.

This Day in NHL History 1950 April 4

April 04

Defenseman Leo Reise scored the fifth power play overtime goal in NHL history at 20:38 of OT, to lead the Red Wings to a 2-1 playoff win over the Maple Leafs, in Game Four of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals at Toronto.

Index card signed in blue ink
 during the late 80's TTM

This Day in NHL History 1977 April 3

April 03

 Jocelyn Guevremont had a goal and three assists to lead the Sabres to a 7-3 win over the Blues at the Aud.

74/75 OPC # 122

Obtained blue ink auto IP.

This Day in NHL History 1993 April 2

April 02

Rookie Vladimir Malakhov had a goal and two assists as the Isles won 3-2 in overtime against the Rangers, at Madison Square Garden.

92/93 UD YG # 577

Obtained blue sharpie auto IP.

This Day in NHL History 1991 April 1

April 1st

Winnipeg Jets fire head coach Bob Murdoch.

75/76 OPC # 33

Obtained blue ink sig TTM.