Description
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee
Serge Bernier #19 Rookie Card RC Philadelphia Flyers EX
The "First Ever" Flyer: A Must-Have 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Serge Bernier Rookie Card
Step back into the "Broad Street Bullies" era with this authentic 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Serge Bernier #19 rookie card. As the first-ever amateur draft pick in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers (5th overall, 1967), Serge Bernier holds a unique place in NHL lore. This card captures the beginning of a prolific career that saw him become a cornerstone for the Flyers, Kings, and eventually a legend in the WHA with the Quebec Nordiques.
Player Career & Highlights
Serge Bernier was a natural scorer from the start, netting 23 goals in his rookie campaign with Philadelphia. While he was a vital part of the early Flyers, he truly cemented his legacy after jumping to the WHA. In 1977, he led the Quebec Nordiques to their only Avco World Trophy, leading the entire postseason in points and earning the WHA Playoff MVP title. He remains one of the most respected figures in Quebec hockey history and was an inaugural inductee into the WHA Hall of Fame in 2010.
Serge Bernier was a natural scorer from the start, netting 23 goals in his rookie campaign with Philadelphia. While he was a vital part of the early Flyers, he truly cemented his legacy after jumping to the WHA. In 1977, he led the Quebec Nordiques to their only Avco World Trophy, leading the entire postseason in points and earning the WHA Playoff MVP title. He remains one of the most respected figures in Quebec hockey history and was an inaugural inductee into the WHA Hall of Fame in 2010.
The 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Set
The 1971-72 OPC set is legendary for its vibrant, "pop art" style design featuring player photos set against bold, solid-colored circular backgrounds. This specific card features the classic O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, including his full NHL career record and a charming cartoon about his teammates calling him "Shifty". Unlike the American Topps counterpart, this Canadian O-Pee-Chee edition is the preferred choice for serious vintage hockey collectors due to its bilingual nature and unique card numbering.
The 1971-72 OPC set is legendary for its vibrant, "pop art" style design featuring player photos set against bold, solid-colored circular backgrounds. This specific card features the classic O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, including his full NHL career record and a charming cartoon about his teammates calling him "Shifty". Unlike the American Topps counterpart, this Canadian O-Pee-Chee edition is the preferred choice for serious vintage hockey collectors due to its bilingual nature and unique card numbering.
Condition Report
- Centering: This example features respectable centering for the era, approximately 65/35 left-to-right on the front, which is common for O-Pee-Chee’s notoriously difficult 1970s quality control.
- Corners: The corners show some light touches and minor rounding consistent with a vintage "Excellent" grade, but they remain relatively square without major blunting.
- Edges: The edges are generally clean with the typical O-Pee-Chee "rough cut," showing minimal chipping or surface wear.
- Surface: The card retains great original gloss and color, with no visible creases, staining, or wax residue on the front or the bilingual back.
Grade Estimate
EX 5 / EX-MT 6 (Raw). The card presents very well with strong color and no creases. The minor corner wear and common centering shift keep it just out of the "Near Mint" tier, but it is a high-end collector's copy for any rookie card set.
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