The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game: FINAL EPISODE

 

Welcome back to the 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game. WE'VE REACHED THE FINAL EPISODE! (APPLAUSE)

It's been a great series with some entertaining contests. And if we've learned anything, it's that our NHL bachelors have quite a healthy variety of skills and hobbies. They're landscape business owners, water skiers, cooking enthusiasts, horseback riders, wind surfers, golfers, fishing enthusiasts, race-horse hobbyists, computer nerds, tennis players, boxers, public speakers, loggers, hunters, guitar players, and more.

Here's a list of the winners, by episode number:

 

1. Normand Leveille (Boston Bruins)
2. Ron Francis (Hartford Whalers)/Steve Kasper (Boston Bruins) (tie)
3. Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers)
4. Aaron Broten (New Jersey Devils)
5. Dale Hawerchuk (Winnipeg Jets)
6. Curt Fraser (Vancouver Canucks)
7. Ron Greschner (New York Rangers)
8. Keith Brown (Chicago Blackhawks)/Brad Palmer (Boston Bruins) (tie)
9. Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)
10. Glenn Anderson (Edmonton Oilers)
11. Mark Pavelich (New York Rangers)
12. Paul Woods (Detroit Red Wings)
13. Kevin Lowe (Edmonton Oilers)
14. Paul Reinhart (Calgary Flames)
15. Joe Mullen (St. Louis Blues)
16. Lars Molin (Vancouver Canucks)/Jim Peplinski (Calgary Flames) (tie)
17. Mike Foligno (Buffalo Sabres)/Brent Sutter (New York Islanders) (tie)
18. Chris Valentine (Washington Capitals)
19. Mike Ramsey (Buffalo Sabres)
20. Grant Fuhr (Edmonton Oilers)
21. Bobby Carpenter (Washington Capitals)

The bachelor who received the most votes in his victory was Mark Pavelich, with a total of 6 votes back in Episode 11. Way to go, Pav! (APPLAUSE)

 

For this final episode, we'll have to do something a little differently though. Why? 

 

Well, There were 64 players who were listed as bachelors on the back of their cards—enough for 21 rounds. 

 

That makes a total of 63, however, which means there's one poor guy left over.

 

 

 

How about a big hand for Joe Cirella! (APPLAUSE)

 

Now we can't just award him the date with our lovely lady this week, so what we're going to do is bring back two contestants who didn't win their rounds. First, please welcome back Left Wing from the New York Rangers, Don Maloney! (APPLAUSE)

 

 

 

Mr. Maloney was shut out by teammate Mark Pavelich in their round.

 

Next, please give a warm welcome to Left Wing from the Chicago Black Hawks, Al Secord! (APPLAUSE)

 

 

Mr. Secord was one of the unlucky competitors who appeared in the same episode as young Wayne Gretzky. 

 

Now that you're all here, gentlemen, please have a seat on the stage, thank you.

 

 

Let's get right to it and find out more about these gents from the back of their hockey cards.

 

 

Not much to say from two of the three bachelors. Maybe Mr. Secord's boxing history had them a little worried. Nevertheless, our lovely lady needs a date! Who will it be?

 

Bachelor number 1: Rookie Joe Cirella, who racked up some big-time PIMs in Ottawa a couple of seasons ago and now finds himself in New Jersey.

Bachelor number 2: Ontario man Don Maloney, who's been putting up consistent goal totals in the Big Apple.

Bachelor number 3: Boxing man Al Secord, who tallied a whopping 44 goals and 303 penalty minutes last year. 

 

 

Cast your votes, and thank you to all the readers and card collectors who participated throughout this series. Your humorous and entertaining comments really made it fun!

If you'd like to look back at any of the episodes, I've created a tab on the menu bar at the top of the blog.

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 21)

 

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 20 was Grant Fuhr.

Now, let's start the 21st round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Left wing from the Buffalo Sabres, Tony McKegney
Bachelor number 2: Center from the Washington Capitals, Bobby Carpenter
Bachelor number 3: Defenseman from the Montreal Canadiens, Gaston Gingras

 

  

Three hockey dudes just hangin' around on their cards. At least Gaston looks like he's getting ready for a face-off.

Let's find out more about them from the back of their cards.

 

I think once Bobby the computer nerd started geeking out about his Commodore 64, Tony and Gaston decided to tune out, and didn't share any hobbies.

Nevertheless, we've got to pick a winner for a date with our lovely lady this week. Who will it be?

Bachelor number 1: Tony McKegney, who's been putting up some solid numbers in Buffalo.

Bachelor number 2: Bobby Carpenter and his computers.

Bachelor number 3: Gaston Gingras, who could easily pass for a lumberjack in the forests of Témiscamingue, Québec, with that name and that mustache.

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 20)

 

 

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 19 was 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mike Ramsey. (U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!)

Now, let's start the 20th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Goalie from the Edmonton Oilers, Grant Fuhr
Bachelor number 2: Goalie from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vincent Tremblay
Bachelor number 3: Center from the New Jersey Devils, Steve Tambellini

 

We haven't had many goalies on the program so far, but now we've got two in the same episode. It's a goalie battle!

Let's find out more about all three gents from the back of their cards.

 

Well, two bachelors were so bashful that they just couldn't share any hobbies. Grant Fuhr responded by revving his engine. Will that affect the outcome this week? Time for you to decide!

 

Who's going out on a date with our nice young lady?

 

Bachelor number 1: Speed racer Grant Fuhr.

Bachelor number 2: Vincent Tremblay, Quebec guy through and through.

Bachelor number 3: Nearly a 30-goal man last season, Steve Tambellini.

 

 

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 19)

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 18 was the appropriately named Chris Valentine.

Now, let's start the 19th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Defenseman from the Buffalo Sabres, Mike Ramsey

Bachelor number 2: Right wing from the Edmonton Oilers, Jari Kurri

Bachelor number 3: Defenseman from the New York Rangers, Reijo Ruotsalainen

Two of these young gents have a battle history. 

 

Intrigued? Here's the information from the back of their cards.

That's right. Just a couple of years ago, Mike Ramsey and Team USA defeated Jari Kurri and Team Finland to take the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Finland finished just off the podium, in 4th place.

Will Kurri or the other Finn, Ruotsalainen, exact revenge by winning the date with our nice young lady this week? It's up to you!

Bachelor number 1: Minnesota man and Olympic gold medal winner, Mike Ramsey.

Bachelor number 2: Helsinki man and fishing enthusiast, Jari Kurri.

Bachelor number 3: Race-horse hobbyist and former Finnish National, Reijo Ruotsalainen.

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 18)

 

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

Episode 17 is currently stuck in a tie between Brent Sutter and Mike Foligno. Feel free to go back and cast a vote so we can break the tie.

Now, let's start the 18th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Center/Right wing from the Washington Capitals, Chris Valentine

Bachelor number 2: Defenseman from the New York Rangers, Barry Beck

Bachelor number 3: Center from the Los Angeles Kings, Doug Smith

 

 

 

We've got a couple of nice haircuts here, folks! Let's find out more about all three gents from the back of their cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We haven't had such bashful bachelors in quite some time! But our nice young lady this week still looks forward to the results, so get your votes in now. Who will it be?

 

Bachelor number 1: The appropriately named Chris Valentine, who scored a whopping 142 points in the QMJHL just a couple of years ago.

Bachelor number 2: Barry Beck, who's settling in nicely in New York City after a few years out west.

Bachelor number 3: Doug Smith, the fresh-faced rookie who also broke the 100-point mark during his amateur career.

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 17)

 

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 16, in an impressive comeback, was Jim Peplinski. (UPDATE: More than two weeks after the episode aired, Lars Molin received a vote to tie the score. However, since the vote was cast at such a late date, we're going to nullify it. We spoke to Lars and he said he was fine with the decision, and he immediately went off to do some more windsurfing.)

Now, let's start the 17th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Right wing from the Buffalo Sabres, Mike Foligno

Bachelor number 2: Center from the New York Islanders, Brent Sutter

Bachelor number 3: Defenseman from the Detroit Red Wings, Willie Huber

Last episode it was an all-Canadian team battle. This time it's all American teams. Let's find out more about these gents from the back of their cards.

Alright folks, who's going out on a date with our nice young lady this time?

Bachelor number 1: Softball guy with the nice smile, Mike Foligno.

Bachelor number 2: Former Bronco and one of five hockey-playing brothers, Brent Sutter.

Bachelor number 3: Fishing enthusiast Willie Huber.

 

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 16)

 

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 15, in a close contest, was Joe Mullen.

Now, let's start the 16th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Defenseman from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jim Benning

Bachelor number 2: Right wing/Left wing from the Vancouver Canucks, Lars Molin

Bachelor number 3: Center/Right wing from the Calgary Flames, Jim Peplinski

We've got a battle of Canadian teams this week, folks! Let's find out more about these guys from the back of their cards.

Which guy wins this week's date with a nice young lady?

Bachelor number 1: Jim Benning, whose 111 assists in Portland a couple of years ago indicate that he's a generous, giving dude.

Bachelor number 2: Lars Molin, Swedish soccer player and wind surfer.

Bachelor number 3: Jim Peplinski, who cooks and is involved in the Big Brother Program.

 

 

PS: Next week's post will be on Saturday instead of Sunday, for a particular reason I can't divulge.

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 15)

 

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 14 was Paul Reinhart.

Now, let's start the 15th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

 

Bachelor number 1: Left wing from the Buffalo Sabres, Lindy Ruff
Bachelor number 2: Right wing from the Edmonton Oilers, Dave Lumley
Bachelor number 3: Right wing from the St. Louis Blues, Joe Mullen

 

 

It's winger week here on the O-Pee-Chee dating game! Let's find out more about these gents from the back of their cards.

Not many hobbies listed this round, but some interesting information nonetheless. Okay folks, who wins the date with a nice young lady?

Bachelor number 1: Lindy Ruff, who scored his first NHL goal in his very first NHL game.

Bachelor number 2: Dave Lumley, travel enthusiast.

Bachelor number 3: Rookie Joe Mullen, who has good balance and good hands.  

The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game (Episode 14)

Welcome back to The 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Dating Game, where we'll randomly select three eligible bachelors from the set and you, the reader, will choose which one wins that date with a special lady. How do we know they're bachelors? Why, it says so right on the back of their hockey cards, that's how!

Previous episodes are available here.

The big winner of episode 13 was Kevin Lowe.

Now, let's start the 14th round and introduce the bachelors chosen by the randomizer! [APPLAUSE]

Bachelor number 1: Defenseman from the Calgary Flames, Paul Reinhart
Bachelor number 2: Defenseman from the Edmonton Oilers, Paul Coffey
Bachelor number 3: Center from the Quebec Nordiques, Pierre Aubry

Folks, we've got a Battle of Alberta with a Quebecios tagging along!

Let's find out more about these gents from the back of their cards.

Alright studio audience, who's earned this week's date with a lovely lady?

Bachelor number 1: Paul Reinhart, horseback rider. (Calgary fans must love him for that.)

Bachelor number 2: Paul Coffey, golfer and fastest defenseman in the West.

Bachelor number 3: Pierre Aubry, the Quebec native who's so happy to have started his NHL career in his homeland that he forgot to list a hobby.

 

Giveaway prize mailing update:

 

I've mailed out most of your prizes from the giveaway I held last week, so keep an eye out. For those of you who may have missed it, there are still some prizes available so I'm keeping the giveaway open for a while. Feel free to go back to last week's post and claim a remaining prize by leaving a comment.