1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Gerry Desjardins #119 New York Islanders (EX 5)

Enhance your personal vintage hockey archives with another wonderful example of an early seventies classic featuring a standout goaltender. This trading card presents New York Islanders netminder Gerry Desjardins in full gear against a vibrant backdrop, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of professional sports during this beloved era. As the New York Islanders navigated their initial years in the NHL, the performance of veteran players like Desjardins gave the young club a fighting chance night after night against established powerhouses. Collectors who specialize in rebuilding full sets from this specific year recognize how challenging it can be to secure clean, mid-grade singles that display beautifully without breaking the budget.

Gerry Desjardins built his reputation on resilience and technical skill during an era when goalie equipment provided significantly less protection than modern gear. His professional career saw him excel under pressure, notably recording strong numbers during his time with the Los Angeles Kings and later anchoring the crease for the emerging New York Islanders. His legacy as a pioneer of early expansion teams makes his collectibles highly sought after by hockey history enthusiasts who want to preserve the stories of the players who paved the way for modern stars.

A thorough Condition Report indicates that this card is a very clean, well-preserved mid-grade specimen. The front borders exhibit nice natural color with some minor touches of handling wear concentrated along the top edge and corner tips. Centering is quite good, sitting nicely within the vintage borders with an eye-appealing frame around the main photograph. The reverse side features the distinct O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, which provides historical text and complete year-by-year statistics in both English and French. The back shows light natural cardboard aging but is entirely free of any major creases, marks, or heavy stains, making it an excellent candidate for a raw grade estimate of EX 5.

Grade Estimate:
EX 5