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This is an original watercolor painting of the 1972-73 Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche) jersey.
Click on image to enlarge$550.00 (includes shipping in North America)
This original, one-of-a-kind watercolor painting of the 1972-73 Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche) blue jersey is the original artwork that was used in the creation of this Colorado Avalanche uniform evolution print and tens of thousands of other Colorado Avalanche products that have been sold across North America. This original piece of art was painted by artist Tino Paolini for Maple Leaf Productions Ltd.
Some History
1972-73The 1972-73 season was a big year for hockey in North America for two reasons.In September of 1972 a group of Canadian NHL all stars formed a team to face the Soviet Unions national team in an historic 8-game series. The Soviets won 3 of the first 5 games with one tie. Canada won the final 3 games of the series, thanks to some timely scoring by Paul Henderson who scored the winning goal in all three games, giving them a 4-3-1 record and bragging rights as the Series winner. This event was the foundation of a great international hockey rivalry that continues to this day. The Soviets style of play, highlighted by their skating and passing ability, would change the way hockey was played on North American rinks.
Also that year the NHL's pro-hockey monopoly was ended when the upstart World Hockey Association began play with 12 teams and a number of former NHL players. Bobby Hull was the biggest name to leave the NHL; he bolted from the Chicago Blackhawks to sign an unprecedented 10-year, $2.75 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. The WHA established teams in new hockey markets like: Cleveland, Connecticut, Ottawa, Quebec City, Houston and Alberta as well as going head-to-head with the NHL in Toronto, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. The new league became a thorn in the side of the NHL for years to come as players continued to leave the NHL seeking better wages in the WHA.
The Quebec Nordiques began life as a charter franchise of the WHA originally to be based in San Francisco, but because of the lack of interest the Bay area fans showed for the NHL's California Golden Seals the idea was scrapped and the franchise was sold to a group of Quebec-based businessmen headed Paul Racine. The move proved to be a wise one. The team was named the Nordiques (French for Northerners) and was quickly embraced citizens of Quebec City who were happy to see the return of pro hockey after a 50-year absence.
The team deliberately drafted players with significant French-Canadian heritages to reflect the teams home culture. Most of the teams players in their first year were relative unknowns, but they managed to secure the services of J.C. Tremblay who was an all-star defenceman with Montreal Canadiens, Tremblay went on to lead the team in points with, 89 (14 goals and 75 assists). The Nordiques opened their inaugural season with the greatest hockey star in the province of Quebec, Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice "The Rocket" Richard behind the bench as their first coach. The Nords played their first game on October 11th losing to the Cleveland Crusaders 3-2; their second game was a 6-0 win over the Alberta Oilers. Surprisingly after only his second game behind the bench Rocket Richard decided coaching was not his thing and stepped down as coach. He was replaced by team scout Maurice Filion.
The Nordiques finished the year with a 33-40-5 record, good enough for fifth place in the WHAs Eastern division, but not good enough to make the playoffs.
The Nordiques original road jersey is pictured here.
