1968-69 OPC Puck Stickers #1 Stan Mikita

The first card in this insert set of 21 puck punch-outs from O-Pee-Chee was the finishing piece to my set. Chicago center Stan Mikita is most often credited with the creation of the curved stick blade in the 1960s...a guy named Hull took quick advantage of the innovation.

One of the NHL's most penalized players during his early years, Mikita went on to win the Lady Byng Trophy in 1967 and 1968. His reform is rumored to be the result of his young daughter asking, "Mommy, why does daddy spend so much time sitting down?" She had just seen dad take a seat in the penalty box during a televised road game.

Only Nicklas Lidstrom, Alex Delvecchio and Steve Yzerman had a longer career playing for only a single team.

1939-40 OPC V301-1 #1 Reg Hamilton

I've rounded up about 25 of the 100 5"x7" cards that comprise this black and white set. Card #1 is defenseman Reg Hamilton with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Each card was sold one at a time in cello packs.

He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Leafs: in 1941-42 and 1944-45.

Notice the elbow pads worn outside/on top of the sweater.

1923-24 V128-1 Paulin's Candy #1 Bill Borland

Defenseman Bill Borland leads off the 1923 V128-1 Paulin's Candy issue. The Winnipeg-based chocolatier offered a set of 70 cards featuring players in the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) in its packages as part of a redemption offer described on the back of each card.

Borland is featured with the Manitoba Hockey League's Selkirk Fishermen. 

The Paulin's cards are extremely condition sensitive because the paper stock is so thin. This one is in rough condition, but that's what you get for $10.