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1971-72 O-Pee-Chee #198 Brian Spencer RC (CGC 6)

Currency:CAD Category:Collectibles / Trading Cards Start Price:20.00 CAD Estimated At:20.00 - 40.00 CAD
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee #198 Brian Spencer RC (CGC 6)
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Rookie card of Brian "Spinner" Spencer, graded 6 EX-NM by CGC.

Spencer's tragic story began the night of his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The game was to be broadcasted on Hockey Night in Canada, but the network opted to air the Vancouver Canucks/California Golden Seals game on the west coast. His father Roy Spencer drove to Prince George, where the closest CBC affiliate was located. After pulling a gun he ordered station staff to broadcast the Maple Leafs game or, if no feed was available, to turn off the hockey entirely. The station complied, but as he left the station there was a confrontation with the RCMP and Spencer was shot and killed.

Brian would bounce around pro hockey before retiring, at which point drugs and alcohol ruled his life. In 1987, he was charged with kidnapping and murder in Florida and faced the death penalty. Family and friends, including ex-teammates, gathered around him and tried to help. A former teammate from the Sabres, Rick Martin, tried to help by testifying as a character witness at his trial. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in March 1988 and Spencer vowed to change his life. Despite the acquittal, Spencer's life continued to spiral out of control. Three months later, he died under similar circumstances to his father; he was fatally shot in a robbery following a crack cocaine purchase in Riviera Beach, Florida.