Thursday, May 15, 2014

1972-73 Topps Calder Trophy - Ken Dryden


I can think of no player in any major sport to win the post-season MVP award one year, then win Rookie of the Year honors the following year. But that is exactly the case with Ken Dryden.

Ken Dryden won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1971. He was the goaltender for the Canadiens that held off my beloved Blackhawks in 7 games to win the Cup. But with only 6 regular season games he was still eligible for NHL Rookie of the Year honors in the 1971-72 season. Under the new coach Scotty Bowman, Dryden and the Canadiens improved from 97 points in 1970-71 to 108 point in 1971-72 earning Dryden the Calder Trophy. Over his career, Dryden would go on to win 5 Vezina Trophies as the league's top goalie. He was elected to the NHL Hall of Fame in 1983 and served in the Canadian Parliament from 2004-2011.


The actual 1972-73 Topps Calder Trophy card depicted the trophy itself. Although it is a very nice looking trophy, I think most collectors would prefer a card of the award winner.

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