Brooks Orpik

Brooksy is probably in the top 10 of my all time favorite Penguin players.  He is an American born, hard working, stay-at-home style defenseman that has been with the team ever since he was drafted 18th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.  Not many guys play their whole careers with the same organization, especially in the age of free agency. But Orpik is still signed through the 2013-14 season and I can see him anchoring the Pens blueline for the rest of his career (I hope at least).

Coming from a 2001 NCAA Championship winning Boston College team, he knew what it would take to be an NHLer early on in his playing days.  He is best known as one of the NHLs best penalty killers and is usually one of the top players in registering hits in the NHL.  After spliting time his first few seasons between WBS and the NHL, he finally won a permanent roster spot in 2003-04.

This card comes from the 2003-04 Upper Deck Trilogy Scripts Tier 1 Set.  Upper Deck did a Tiered system for the Scripts autographs in this years set.  The Tier 1 cards are of the rookie or "Future Star"s as they are listed.  Tier 2 is full of younger stars and a few veterans.  Tier 3 is full of legends and superstars.  There was also a Custom set that included All Stars, HOFers, Award Winners, and cards featuring player nicknames (yes that isn't a new concept).  I picked this one up in auction.  Paid a little more than I wanted but it's all good.