1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Gary Bergman #65 Light Back Variation Detroit Red Wings Defense

Description

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Gary Bergman #65 Light Back Variation Detroit Red Wings Defense Target the scarcer variation with this 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Gary Bergman #65 in the sought-after Light Back version, a high-grade single of a hard-nosed Detroit Red Wings defenseman with a serious hockey resume. Gary Bergman, nicknamed Dutch by his teammates as the back cartoon reveals, was a steady, physical blueliner who anchored the Red Wings defense for nearly a decade and reached a series of career milestones in 1972-73, including his 600th NHL game and 250th career point, both referenced on the bilingual reverse. Most notably, Bergman was selected to represent his country as a member of Team Canada at the legendary 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, the historic eight-game showdown that remains one of the most famous events in the sport, giving this card genuine international significance beyond his NHL career. The 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee set is collected in two well-documented back variations, the more common Dark Back on grayish stock and the scarcer Light Back printed on the lighter tan cardboard that came from an earlier print run, and this copy is the desirable Light Back, a difference set builders actively seek and a key reason this card stands out. The front shows Bergman in his Red Wings whites with the alternate captain's A and the RED WINGS banner. The reverse is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, printed in Canada with English and French text, his 1972-73 season record of 3 goals and 28 assists for 31 points, and a cartoon panel, rather than a puzzle back. The scans show a particularly nice example with only very light corner touches, clean and crisp edges along the red frame, a glossy and uncreased front surface with strong color, and centering that is fairly even with perhaps a slight shift toward the top. The light tan back is remarkably clean with no writing, stains, or marks and only gentle edge wear. Because the corners, edges, and surface all sit well above average for a red-bordered O-Pee-Chee card and there is no crease, a conservative raw grade of EX-MT 6 is justified, held back from NM only by the faintest corner wear and minor print characteristics. Grade Estimate: EX-MT 6