From Ice Rink to Game Grid

Today's custom card takes a different route than many before it. In fact, you might say it takes a virtual route.

Here's the original card. Note the Cooper-brand helmet in particular:

1981-82 O-Pee-Chee #193, Doug Wickenheiser

When I look at these helmets—especially from certain angles like the one this 1981-82 card affords—I can't help but think of a science-fiction film from the same decade. Are you thinking of the same one?

If nothing is coming to mind, here are some hints:

The film featured groundbreaking computer animation. 

Instead of an ice rink, the characters in this film did battle on something called a "game grid".

From 1996 to 1998, the NHL used a special puck that left a glowing trail on television screens when shot hard enough. More than a decade earlier, this film had Light Discs that left a glowing trail when thrown.

Got the film?

Here's the custom card:

 

Suddenly Doug Wickenheiser has found himself digitized into a computer world, his bleu, blanc, et rouge replaced with a Tron uniform. But don't worry. He's a professional hockey player. He'll do just fine on the game grid.

As for the other design elements, I changed the team name to Tron and the position from center to user (in English and French, just like the original O-Pee-Chee card). I also changed the Canadiens logo on the bottom right to a stylized Light Disc, or "Identity Disc" as it's also called.

With those elements out of the way, look at that helmet once again. There's not much doubt that the Tron props department modified some Cooper helmets for actors to use in the film. It's just an unmistakable shape, and it makes for a cool hockey connection. See?

 

And there's even one more connection to be made.

Tron appeared in theaters during the summer of 1982. At the very same time, hockey-loving kids were probably still sorting through their new 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee cards, including Doug Wickenheiser's #193 up there at the top.

I wonder if any those kids watched the film in theaters, recognized the helmets from their hockey cards, and yelled out, "Hey, that guy is wearing a Cooper hockey helmet!"

Regardless, the film may have inspired Mr. Wickenheiser, because he put up his finest offensive numbers the following season: 25 goals, 30 assists, 55 points, and a 15.6 shooting percentage.

His career totals: 10 NHL seasons, 556 GP, 111 G, 165 A, 276 PTS, 286 PIM, 16 GWG, 11.2 S%.

 

But right now it looks like he's ready for his next game on the grid.

And that raises a fun question: Which hockey player, past or present, would make the best Tron competitor? 

It would have to be a player with a combination of speed, skill, and smarts. Excellent offensive and defensive abilities would be a plus. A working knowledge of physics and geometry would also help. 

Wayne Gretzky? Pavel Datsyuk? Sergei Fedorov? Jaromir Jagr? Gordie Howe?

I might choose Gordie. He'd probably just walk onto the game grid, derez his competitor with one punch, and walk right back out.

Leave your choices in the comment section.

From the Favorites Box: Brian Propp, 1981-82 Topps #E110

A series where I post some thoughts about favorite cards. Previous cards in the series are available here.


The tough thing about hockey is that it's fast. Sometimes there's a giveaway at a bad time. Transition up the ice happens in an instant—and at a moment when you might be a bit flat-footed.

The great thing about hockey is that for just a moment, for a few hard strides, you do have the opportunity to catch up. And I think that's where Brian Propp might find himself here.

Look at the expression on his face. He's grinding. He's looking up the ice, either toward an opponent he needs to cover or toward his teammate who's rushing through the neutral zone with the puck. The card's design even lends itself to action, with that bright yellow team name flying across on the diagonal, and the thin, rounded orange border giving you a great little portal into the scene.

And speaking of action, Brian Propp was no stranger to the offensive side of it. Check out these stats from his 15-season career:

1016 GP, 425 G, 579 A, 1004 PTS, 825 PIM, 59 GWG

Even for a guy who played throughout the high-scoring 1980s, you can't shake a stick at those numbers. To back them up, here's more:

In a five-season stretch, Propp reached the 40-goal mark four times, and just missed hitting the mark in all five.

1981-82: 44
1982-83: 40
1983-84: 39
1984-85: 43
1985-86: 40

He had a couple of great playoff runs with Philadelphia, too, most impressively in 1986-87 when the Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to Edmonton:

26 GP, 12 G, 16 A, 28 PTS, 5 PPG (tied for league lead), 104 SOG (led the league)

For certain we're looking at a great career, not to mention a great hockey jersey and a great hockey card design. But for reminding us of the grind and how great it is—that's why 1981-82 Topps #E110 has a spot in my box of favorite cards.