1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Gary Smith #126 Dark Back Vancouver Canucks (EX 5)

Celebrate one of the most colorful characters in hockey history with this excellent 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Gary Smith card, boasting the rare dark gray back cardboard stock. Affectionately known as "Suitcase" due to the numerous teams he played for throughout his storied career, Gary Smith was a fan favorite wherever he went. This card showcases Smith during his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks, captured in a clean headshot framed by the striking red border of the 1973 set design. It is a fantastic keepsake for collectors of West Coast hockey history and vintage Canadian sports memorabilia alike. 

Gary Smith was an absolute workhorse in net, famously winning the Vezina Trophy in 1974 with the Philadelphia Flyers and leading the NHL in games played multiple times. He was known not only for his stellar goaltending but also for his eccentricities, such as completely undressing between periods and his frequent attempts to score goals by skating past the center line. The back of the card features a dual-language (English/French) write-up detailing his career statistics on the prized dark back variant background. It remains a wonderful addition to any collection focused on classic goalies or O-Pee-Chee master sets.

Condition Report:
This card is in solid mid-grade condition, earning a raw grade estimate of EX 5. The corners show minor corner wear with slight touches of softness at the pinpoints, but they keep a clean square shape overall. Centering on the front leans slightly toward the right border but presents very well to the naked eye. The red borders are deep and free from major surface scuffs or scratching, although some typical vintage factory paper texture is present. The reverse side features the dark back variant, with crisp, clean text lines and no evidence of adhesive marks or heavy surface wear. Make sure to double-check the physical label to confirm this information. [1]

Grade Estimate:
EX 5