WTF Hockey Card: Joe Cirella (1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #41)

Joe Cirella
(1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #41)

Some of the Florida Panthers expansion team members were included in Series I of 1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier.

Since no in-game action shots existed in time for Series I, several players posed for photos.

But on veteran Jo Cirella's card, it almost seems like they were experimenting with trying to include a makeshift background...

There's some faded/washed out scenery that resembles hockey boards, and what looks like a Dutch flag.

John Vanbiesbrouk
(1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #314)

The rest of the Panthers' cards have a simple dark background. Oddly enough, while Series I features several Florida Panthers, it does not include any of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...

Rob Niedermayer
(1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #270)

Series II is absolutely riddled with in-game action cards of over 30 players from the Ducks and Panthers;

(16 Panthers cards, the first one being Rob Niedermayer, who would eventually go on to play for the Ducks)

(20 Ducks cards... Damn near a whole flock)

Joe Cirella
(1993-94 Upper Deck #65)

The same Panthers are also featured in 1993-94 Upper Deck, although Upper Deck offers both Ducks and Panthers in their set.

Jo Cirella has a "normal" background on his Upper Deck card. It's possible the shots were taken at the same photo shoot.

Gotta appreciate the fact that Topps was willing to experiment with something to try and make their card look different... But there's no question which card turned out better.