Board Advertisements on Cards, Episode 7: Cadillac

Way back in 1978, the NHL allowed teams to start selling advertising space along the boards of their rinks. By the time I was a hockey card–collecting kid in the late 1980s, the trend had caught on. From snack foods to car manufacturers to banks to fast food restaurants, board advertisements really ran the gamut—and they still do.

This series will explore some of the advertisements that also managed to make their way onto hockey cards. 

 

Previous entries are available here.

 

1990-91 Topps #362 Dave Poulin

There's Dave Poulin, wearing the classic black and gold of the Boston Bruins. The uniform has gone through some changes since the team's inception in 1924, but still, there's no mistaking those colors and that big letter "B" on the crest.

And look right behind him, there on the boards. You'll see another classic and unmistakable crest. In fact, it's been in existence even longer than the Bruins.

It's Cadillac.

The company's first car, the Runabout, was released in 1903 at the New York Auto Show. (Side note: What could an auto show possibly have looked like in 1903?) 

 

Here's an example of the Runabout, in all its glory:

That's the two-seater. It seems like there was also a four-seater available, along with a "some assembly required" convertible top. Snazzy.

As for Cadillac's logo, that came along just a few years later, in 1906. Here's the interesting story about the logo that I discovered while conducting research for this post:

The Cadillac company was named after French explorer and adventurer, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who founded the city of Detroit on July 24, 1701. The company logo, which is much more stylized nowadays, is based on his family crest.

 

I'm not sure I'm a fan of the newest iteration. But ultimately, I suppose logo changes are an indicator of longevity. And Cadillac is certainly an example of that. So kudos to them, not only for remaining in existence for so long and across so many generations, but also for setting a pretty good standard of luxury and quality over that time.

 

And that neatly brings us back to the man depicted on the hockey card up top. Because Mr. Dave Poulin set some pretty good standards of his own during his 13-year career.

Poulin spent his first 7 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, and put up some excellent numbers for a center who had a knack for the defensive side of the game. He was a 30-goal scorer twice, and never scored less than 15. He also played in two all-star games during that time, served as team captain for a long while, and took home a Selke Trophy (best defensive forward). A couple of years later he was traded to Boston, where in 1992-93 he'd finish second in Selke voting and win the King Clancy Award (player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice).

Overall, in 724 games with Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, Poulin totaled 205 goals, 325 assists, 530 points, 482 PIM, 28 game-winning goals, and 39 shorthanded goals. Those 39 shorties place him in a tie for 5th all time in the NHL, with Butch Goring and Jari Kurri. 

 

The only players who have more? Gretzky, Messier, Yzerman, Lemieux.

 

Pretty classy list right there. Which brings us back to the car brand we've been discussing.

I've never owned a Cadillac. Never driven one. Pretty sure I've never even been inside one. But I'd like to take a drive in one of the older models. Maybe from the 1970s. You know, like this.

 

 

 

I wonder how many stationary objects I'd end up hitting if I tried to drive a big, heavy boat of a car like that.

Do any of you readers have a Cadillac experience? Share in the comment section, and thanks for reading!