WTF Hockey Card: Eric Fichaud (1996-97 Skybox Impact #150)

This is a decent looking card, but it was Eric Fichaud's mask on the card back that caught my attention. I just assumed that it was an alternate mask, and that the dolphin was somehow part of the NY Islanders Captain Highliner / Fish Sticks motif...

Eric Fichaud
(1996-97 Skybox Impact #150)

But then I noticed an older card of him wearing the same dolphin mask with Toronto...

Eric Fichaud
(94-95 Leaf #443)

As a 1st round draft pick in 1994 (16th overall), I was surprised to discover that Fichaud has no statistics with the Toronto Maple Leafs... The snapshot on the Leaf card must have been taken during an exhibition game. (He was soon traded to the New York Islanders for Benoit Hogue and a couple of draft picks.)

Impressive stat from the Leaf card:
"Eric played in more playoff games last year (26) than any other goaltender in professional, junior or college hockey"

Although the mask actually fit the Toronto Maple Leafs' color scheme quite nicely, it turns out the dolphin design is actually one he wore with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL.

Eric Fichaud
Chicoutimi Sagueneens

Felix Potvin also played for the Chicoutimi Saqueneens in the QMJHL, and coincidentally was also drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs (2nd round of the 1990 draft, 31st overall). Potvin was eventually traded to the New York Islanders in 1999 for Bryan Berard.

Felix Potvin
(Upper Deck 91-92 #460)