Hank Bassen was in his 19th, and final, season of hockey in '67-68 but wouldn't rate a hockey card by Topps or OPC. He saw action in 25 games for the Penguins who acquired him in a trade from Detroit. Despite the lack of support on the first year team he posted a respectable 2.86 GAA, the 3rd best of his 9 year NHL career.
George Konik was a versatile player, who could function at defense and left wing, and was part of 2 NCAA national titles at the University of Denver. During his first six pro seasons he toiled in the minors as a part of the Rangers' organization but following the NHL expansion in 1967, Konik was traded by New York to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His 52 games in '67-68 would be his NHL career although he did play a final season in '72-73 with the rival pro league WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints. He would never rate a hockey card by Topps or OPC.
Defenseman Al MacNeil had already played 450 NHL games when he was claimed by Pittsburgh from the Rangers in the '67 Expansion Draft. He would add another 74 with the Pens in '67-68, his last NHL appearances. 1968-69 saw him take the job as playing coach with the CHL Houston Apollos and in 1969-70 he had the same job description with the AHL Montreal Voyageurs. He retired after that season and made brief head coaching stops with the Canadiens and with the Atlanta/Calgary Flames.
Bill Speer has appeared previously in our '68-69 Penguins CTNW posts but I found a "new and improved" image so I created this upgraded card.
Thanks to Darryl Babineau for his continuing requests.
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.