Monday, April 11, 2016

Jim Sandlak Autograph Card

Here's another entry from In The Game's 2013-14 Enforcers II set (card #A-JS of the Autograph sub-set) that warrants further explanation, because we're not talking about a guy who even surpassed the 200-PIM mark despite playing in the rugged turn-of-the-90s era:
Indeed, although Jim Sandlak wasn't an All-Star either, the fourth-overall selection of the 1985 draft - ahead of Ulf Dahlen (7th), Dave Manson (11th), Derek King (13th), Sean Burke (24th), Joe Nieuwendyk (27th), Mike Richter (28th), Eric Weinrich (32nd), Benoît Hogue (35th), Bill Ranford (52nd), Keith Gretzky (57th), Brent Gilchrist (79th), Fredrik Olausson (81st), Bill Houlder (82nd), Shane Churla (110th), Randy McKay (113th), Gord Hynes (115th), Donald Dufresne (117th), Stu Grimson (143rd), Randy Burridge (157th), Tom Draper (165th), Jim Paek (170th), Kelly Buchberger (188th), Gord Murphy (189th), Dallas Eakins (208th), Bob Beers (210th), Igor Larinov (214th), Ken Baumgartner (245th) and Paul Maurice (252nd) - wasn't a "goon" per se; he had a 20-goal season in 1988-89 and two 40-point seasons as well (1988-89 and 1991-92), all part of a five-season span in which he was most penalized, with a minimum of 99 penalty minutes per.

But injuries took their toll, and after nine seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, he was sent to the Hartford Whalers as compensation in the Murray Craven trade, but he only suited up 40 times over two years in Connecticut.

He had a final go-round with the Canucks in 1995-96 but was limited to 4 goals, 2 assists and 6 points (and barely 6 penalty minutes) in 33 games.

On a line with Sergio Momesso (6'3" and 215 pounds) and Cliff Ronning (5'8", 170 pounds) dubbed The Twin Towers with a giant on each side, the 6'4", 200-pound right winger did put up 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 13 playoff games in 1991-92.

He wore three different uniform numbers in Vancouver, 33 (1985-86), 19 (1986-90), and 25 (1990-96), and this picture is from when he was wearing #19.

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