1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Bobby Clarke #14 Philadelphia Flyers

Description

1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Bobby Clarke #14 Philadelphia Flyers Centerpiece cards do not get better than this 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Bobby Clarke #14 Philadelphia Flyers, a cornerstone vintage card of the Broad Street Bullies leader and one of the greatest captains in NHL history. Coming off a breakout 1971-72 season and a starring role for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series, Clarke entered 1972-73 as the emotional engine of a rising Philadelphia team that would soon bully its way to back to back Stanley Cups. His toothless grin, floppy shag haircut, number 16 sweater and relentless work ethic became defining images of 1970s hockey culture, inspiring countless kids who wore mouthguards and played through adversity just like their hero who managed Type 1 diabetes to reach the top. Clarke resume is staggering. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP in 1973, 1974 and 1976, the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance in 1972, the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1983, served as Flyers captain from 1973 to 1979 and again in the early 1980s, led Philadelphia to Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, and retired with 1210 points in 1144 games plus 42 game winning goals. In the Summit Series he centered a famed checking line and played all eight games, cementing his reputation as the ultimate competitor on international ice. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987 and his number 16 is retired in Philadelphia. This low number #14 card from the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee set is highly coveted in Canadian form with the tan border, vertical PHILADELPHIA FLYERS lettering, vivid blue Flyers background and yellow name ribbon with the winged P logo. The reverse is the true Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with English and French biography noting his Bill Masterton and sportsmanship honors, full NHL career record through 1971-72, cartoon panel and PRINTED IN CANADA, confirming it is not a US Topps card and not a puzzle back. Low numbers from this set are condition sensitive and centered Clarke examples are always in demand. corners appear sharp with only the faintest touches at the extreme tips, edges show minimal tan chipping with strong original cut, front surface is clean and glossy with deep orange and black Flyers colors and excellent focus, centering is approximately 55/45 left to right and 55/45 top to bottom with all borders complete, back is bright for the issue with crisp stats and light uniform toning and no staining or writing, no creases wrinkles or wax marks visible in the sleeve photos, supporting a conservative raw grade estimate of EX-MT 6 that highlights premium eye appeal while leaving headroom for professional grading. Do not miss this chance to own a Hall of Fame centerpiece with enduring cross border demand. Grade Estimate: EX-MT 6