Remembering how excited I was when Normand was playing with the Bruins (and how sad I was when tragedy struck him on that fateful October night in 1982), I'm now equally excited that after many years a card company has finally had the foresight to sign Normand and put his greatness on cardboard. Until now, the only hockey card to feature Normand was his 1982-83 OPC RC. Granted, while his new cards are short printed and not readily available, I'm having a blast trying to acquire each card that is now available. Of the 22 that are available, I currently have 15. There are also eight 1/1's, which I have two of.
Anyway, I thought some may enjoy a tribute to a great Bruin!
Also have the base version /99 of this ^^^^
Couldn't fit anymore images so I can't show the backs on these....
Auto /99
Auto 8/25
Base /10
Also have two more base cards #'d 49 and /299 of this ^^^
And lastly, his Rookie Card from 1982-83
Last edited by bruinforstanley: 02-13-2012 at 07:14 AM.
BTW, those uniforms the B's wore were still the best ones going.
Speaking of the uniform, I have an interesting story about these cards.
The card company that produced these cards bought the actual jersey that Normand was wearing during the game when he had his aneurysm. The jersey was cut off of him in between periods when he collapsed.
The pieces of jersey and patches that are on these cards are from the actual jersey he wore that night.
He is still one of my all time favorite BRUINS. Big loss to us.
For sure.
Remember in HS finding out the next morning what happened in Van. For my teammates and I it really blew our mind, knowing he was only a couple years older.
When Bourque brought him out during the intros at the last old Garden game was an incredible moment.
Looking at the back of the cards, can't help remembering what terrific numbers he had for such a young player. Had the makings of a star.
Whenever I see the video of Ray Bourque leading Normand around the old Garden ice one last time I cry. I can't help myself. I'm glad that Normand is being honored this way.
Normand was a little before my time. Can anyone comment on what his potential was?
Tough to say but it was thought that he had a lot at the time as I recall. He was fluid and slick; not tall like Seguin but some of the same fluidity, as I recall.
"Pray for Normand" read the banner spray painted on a bedsheet that hung for weeks from one of the Emerson College dormitories along Beacon Street. I remember that well.
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I remember reading an article back when he was drafted that said kids in his neighborhood would come over in the summer just to watch him shoot the puck during street hockey.
My main memory of his play wasn't his offense, but the fact that for a moderately sized guy, he could really bodycheck.
The guy was a hitter and had the skating ability to remain upright after some hellacious collisions.
It's hard to say what his top level would be, but a scoring left wing who can hit? Priceless.
Normand was a little before my time. Can anyone comment on what his potential was?
In his draft year, Normand Scored 55 goals and 101 points in 72 games in the Quebec League. There was no doubt about his skill set, only about his size at 5'10". Had he been a bit bigger, he undoubtedly would have gone higher than 14th overall where the Bruins selected him just ahead of Al McCinnis. He proved the doubters wrong, making the team as an eighteen year old and contributing 14 goals and 33 points in 66 games as a rookie. In his sophomore season, he was scoring at a point per game pace with 9 points in his first 9 games before tragedy stuck for him in a game in Vancouver, I believe. Could he have kept up point per game #'s? We'll never know, but it certainly appeared the sky was the limit for Normand. Judging how he has faught back from this terrible tragedy, one certainly can't question is courage and character.
This thread just made me want to cry. I was 12 yrs. old when I fell in love for the first time. He was my first crush. He was the reason I fell in love with this team. I remember sitting in the corner on the floor of my bedroom sobbing and screaming "it's not fair!!!" when this all happened.
This thread just made me want to cry. I was 12 yrs. old when I fell in love for the first time. He was my first crush. He was the reason I fell in love with this team. I remember sitting in the corner on the floor of my bedroom sobbing and screaming "it's not fair!!!" when this all happened.
This thread just made me want to cry. I was 12 yrs. old when I fell in love for the first time. He was my first crush. He was the reason I fell in love with this team. I remember sitting in the corner on the floor of my bedroom sobbing and screaming "it's not fair!!!" when this all happened.
Now you want us to cry also?
Double post. I thought the first one got flushed somewhere else.
When it was first reported, the Boston Globe accompanied the story with a very poignant (pre-injury) photo of Normand in profile, in a rink, staring through the glass towards center ice, smiling. I've never forgotten that picture.
Another thing that a lot of people forget is that on the night Normand had his incident, he scored 2 first period goals. The B's went on to lose the game to Vancouver, 3-2.
As for potential, it was limitless. Yes, he lacked size but made up for it with effort. He was a very enthusiastic player. Wasn't afraid of anyone. Had pure goal scorer hands. Could skate extremely well. In short, he pretty much was the whole package...sans size.
This thread just made me want to cry. I was 12 yrs. old when I fell in love for the first time. He was my first crush. He was the reason I fell in love with this team. I remember sitting in the corner on the floor of my bedroom sobbing and screaming "it's not fair!!!" when this all happened.
Funny how that works. Neely was my first crush and the reason I fell in love with this team. I had a carbon copy reaction when he went down.
Normand was a little before my time. Can anyone comment on what his potential was?
Had he stayed Ok. Bruins would have won cup b4 last yr.Thats how good he was.Kid scored when they needed it and could hit too,Strong on skates.Messier strong,. I can remember back then the big deal that the Bruins had a french canadien superstar in making and not habs that got him too.I am so happy he is not forgotten.
