Paul Andrea was one of only a handful of Nova Scotians to make it to the NHL. Andrea moved to Guelph to play junior starting in 1958, but then played with the EPHL, not a traditional means to get to the NHL. He became Rangers property and was called up for four games during the 1965-66 season, but immediately after expansion the Blueshirts traded him to Pittsburgh in a multi-player deal. He led the CPHL in scoring with 37 goals the previous year but dipped to just eleven in his first season with the Penguins and a year later he was on the move again, this time to the WHL. Oakland picked him up for a few games, and then came Buffalo, his last NHL stop. Andrea pursued a career in the WHA, playing two full seasons before winding up in the minors again, retiring in 1975 after spending a few weeks with the Cape Cod Codders of the NAHL. His only hockey card, as a Sabre, was issued in the 1970-71 OPC & Topps sets. We have previously posted him as a Penguin in '69-70 style and as a Cleveland Crusader in the 1972-73 WHA style, here is his '68-69 custom.
Bert Gardiner was a prior post as a Montreal Canadien, he also served time in Boston, Chicago and New York, here are his customs from those teams.
Bill Huard played three years of major junior hockey with the OHL's Peterborough Petes but was not drafted by any NHL club. He spent 5 seasons in the ECHL, IHL and AHL before being called up to Boston for two games in 1992-93. Huard joined the expansion Ottawa Senators in 1992-93 and suited up for 63 games, scoring two goals and four points while amassing 162 minutes in penalties. After another half season in Ottawa he was dealt to the Quebec Nordiques for all of seven games. In 1995-96, Huard joined the Dallas Stars where he played for two seasons and had 12 and eleven point seasons, his best in the NHL. He dressed with the Edmonton Oilers for 30 games in 1997-98 and returned the following year for another three games. Huard's last NHL game was as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, where he played one game during the 1999-2000. His rookie card was issued in 1993-94 as a Senator, here is his Bruins custom rookie.
Izvestia, a gray son of Icecapade - Shy Spirit, earned almost $2.5 million in 1990 when he established a single-season money earnings record for a Canadian- bred three-year-old winning Canada’s Triple Crown and the Molson Export Million. Only Unbridled, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, earned more money in North America than the Kinghaven Farms’ colt. Izvestia won three Sovereign Awards in 1990 – Horse of the Year, champion 3-year-old and turf champion. He won his first two starts at age four, taking the Canadian Club Handicap on the grass at Gulfstream and the Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine. They would be his last wins before a tragic conclusion to an exceptional career. Competing in the Rothmans International at Woodbine he suffered a broken leg in the early running and was put down after being vanned off the track.
Brendan Morrison made NHL stops in New Jersey, Vancouver, Anaheim, Dallas, Washington, Calgary and Chicago over his 15 year pro hockey career. Client requested a custom to mark his 19 game stop in Dallas.
Zellio Toppazzini had his rookie card issued in the 1952-53 Parkhurst set, but it featured his brother Jerry on the front, here's his "corrected" custom rookie.
Gilles Villemure made his 2nd NHL appearance with the Rangers in 1967-68 picking up his first win and his first shutout. Here's a 1968-69 custom card.
You can purchase these cards, or any of my Missing Link creations, for $10 each postpaid, or $7.95 for 3 or more. Email me at: [email protected], volume discounts available on larger orders.