1981 O-Pee-Chee NHL Hockey Sticker Complete Set of 269 Denis Savard Kurri Rookie

This set is what is referred to as the prototype sticker year. It is also just simply known as the ONLY regular hockey stickers set issued in 1981. This was the first year that O-Pee-Chee (the Canadian branch of the Topps Company) wanted to test market and sell NHL stickers to hockey fans.

O-Pee-Chee made these stickers and distributed them in small quantities to only 2 provinces in Canada (Ontario and Québec). Opening packages of these stickers was extremely frustrating as it was difficult to find stickers you needed as there were only 4 stickers per package. This small but strategic prototype sticker trial was a success and thus (in 1982) begun the North American distribution of O-Pee-Chee stickers in Canada and the Topps brand throughout the USA.

The 1981 O-Pee-Chee stickers year is the most difficult of the nine O-Pee-Chee years to find when it comes to unused singles, unopened wax and complete sets. When finding unopened wax boxes from 1981, it is not uncommon for the glue that held the packages to be coming undone. O-Pee-Chee distributed these stickers out of London, Ontario in Canada.

Star Stickers and Rookie Sticker List. This set is from 1981 O-Pee-Chee. It contains 269 stickers which each measure.

4.9 cm X 6.5 cm (1.93 in X 2.56 in). The album cover featured Wayne Gretzky, Guy LaFleur and Darryl Sittler. Interesting facts from the 1980-81 NHL season.

In 1981, the New York Islanders won their 2. Stanley Cup in as many years with Butch Goring of the Islanders being named Playoffs MVP. The Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary and kept the name Flames for the 1980-81 NHL season. Mike Bossy makes history and becomes only the second player in NHL history to score 50 goals in his teams first 50 games.

Bossy actually scored twice in the last 5 minutes of his 50th game to break this 36 year old record. Rocket Richard was the first to accomplish this feat in the 1944-45 season. Wayne Gretzky started his tear in the NHL by setting new records for points (164) and assists (109).

Wayne won his 2nd Hart Trophy and 1st ever Art Ross trophy. The Quebec Nordiques caused some international intrigue by signing Czech defectors Peter and Anton Stastny.

Peter Stastny went on to score 109 points and win the Calder trophy for Rookie of the Year. Mike Bossy became only the second player in NHL history to score 50 goals in 50 games. Mark Howe was speared in the buttock by the goal net mooring and missed 17 games. Mark would go on to play more than a decade in the NHL. Tiger Williams was not only penalized for 343 minutes, he also netted a remarkable and unexpected 35 goals.

Mike Liut was the 1st goalie to ever win the Lester B. Pearson trophy which is the NHL MVP as voted by the players.

Liut would finish second to Wayne Gretzky in the running for the Hart Trophy (Wayne's second). Rick Kehoe defeats Wayne Gretzky in Lady Byng Trophy voting. Here's what you get. These stickers were manufactured at the Panini factory in Modena Italy. A made these stickers but they were issued under the O-Pee-Chee name. You get the near mint set of 269 stickers that are unpeeled and not stuck anywhere. It is harder to find these stickers unstuck, but you will get them here.

I've included scans of the stars, the rookies and every single sticker in this set. You get one of each different sticker. So if you see a sticker twice, it's because I want to highlight it. You get a complete set that I have personally assembled.

This set is over 30 years old and stickers were cut differently than cards so some may be a touch off centre but I have tried my best to assemble the best shaped stickers that I could find. Please enjoy looking through the information I've put together, the set checklist and the detailed scans from this set.

Foil Puzzle 1 of 6. Foil Puzzle 2 of 6.

Foil Puzzle 3 of 6. Foil Puzzle 4 of 6.

Foil Puzzle 5 of 6. Foil Puzzle 6 of 6.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Non-Sport Trading Cards\Trading Card Sets". The seller is "nhlhockeystickers" and is located in this country: CA. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Franchise: opc stickers