If I played pro hockey, I would want this to be my rookie card. Marc Crawford, best known as an NHL head coach for 15 years, had one mainstream hockey card issued during his playing career — and it makes him look like a total bad ass.
This is also one of the few times that blood was shown on a hockey card.
Crawford took a lickin’ but kept on tickin’. There’s blood running down his neck. He also has one black eye, but the other one probably followed suit a few minutes after this photo was snapped.
And yet, Crawford is still standing. He doesn’t look happy. Regardless of whether he won or lost this fight — I’m guessing he lost — this is the face of a man you would not want to mess with. Even his teammate in the background looks shocked.
Today, such a photograph would never be allowed by the NHL Players’ Association, who calls the shots on what is and is not acceptable to show on a trading card., Blood, tongues and fighting — especially fighting — are forbidden when it comes to hockey cards. ■
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