Gary Edwards looked like a fine between-the-pipes prospect when the St. Louis Blues selected him 6th overall in the 1968 NHL Amateur Draft. He never got a chance to crack the Blues' lineup spending most of his first 3 pro seasons in the minors. It wasn't until the L.A. Kings claimed him in a 1971 Waiver Draft that he finally floated to the surface in the NHL. For five-and-a-half seasons, Edwards served as a very competent backup to Rogie Vachon but in 1977, Edwards was moved to the Cleveland Barons. That would be followed by stops in Minnesota, Edmonton, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, all without ever finding a full-time job. He retired after 6 games in 1981-82 having played 286 NHL games over his 14 year NHL career. His 1977-78 OPC card was issued as a Baron but shows him in a Kings uniform, here is his Barons custom version.
Marty Barry
Jean Pusie
Bobby Bauer, Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart Trio
Wayne Carleton was just out of junior when he saw action in 2 games with the Leafs in 1965-66 but for the next 4 years of his career his greatest obstacle was Toronto coach Punch Imlach who sent him up and down to the minors on a regular basis. He was traded to Boston midway through the 1969-70 season, was on the bench when Orr flew through the air and won the Stanley Cup, and was just as quickly dispatched to California in the summer of 1971. That was followed by 5 WHA seasons and a last run in 1977-78 in the OHA Sr. League. His rookie card was issued in 1967-68 but he was missed in the 1968-69 sets.
You can purchase these cards, or any of my Missing Link creations, for $10 each postpaid, or $7.95 each for 3 or more. Email me at: [email protected], volume discounts available on larger orders.