Oilers' Bill Ranford Hockey Card as a Classroom Tool

In an age of computers and smartboards, it’s easy to overlook how much educational value sits inside a simple hockey card. Yet I’ve watched teachers in local schools turn bulk boxes of cards I’ve donated — sometimes 5,000 at a time — into some of the most engaging learning tools they have.

To a hockey collector, these might be “commons.” But to a student, they can become the energy to learn: tactile, colourful, and full of information waiting to be explored.

An Oilers’ 1989-90 Bill Ranford OPC Hockey Card #233: A Bunch of Lesson Plans

As I’m writing this post, I’m holding one right now, an O-Pee-Chee Bill Ranford card (#233) produced in 1989–90. Ranford, of course, was a key part of the Edmonton Oilers’ last Stanley Cup win in 1990—and the Conn Smythe winner that spring. But beyond the hockey history, this one card opens dozens of opportunities for classroom learning.

Some Activities Teachers Might Use to Motivate Students: The Front of the Card

Let me review a few: On the front, students see shapes, colours, equipment, and symbolism. These include the Oilers’ team colours: Why blue and orange? Do teams choose colours for meaning?

The Oilers crest: What shapes do they notice? What might the “oil drop” represent?

Goalie gear: Why pads? What does a catching glove do? Why don’t we see his mask in this photo?

Just describing the image helps students practise observation, detail noticing, and vocabulary development—skills foundational to reading and science.

Some Activities Teachers Might Use to Motivate Students: The Back of the Card

Flip the card over, and the learning multiplies. Ranford’s height, weight, birthplace (Brandon, Manitoba), and statistics become quick entry points for numeracy and inquiry. For example, in math, one can compare goalie cards to discuss and list games played, goals against average, shutouts, and seasons played.

What about the geography of finding Manitoba on a map of Canada? Or why is a Canadian product written in two languages? And what are these languages? Why is the card printed in English and French? What does “O-Pee-Chee” mean? How was it different from Topps that same year?

Media literacy: What does “licensed product” mean? Why is there a card number?

A single card becomes a structured, multi-subject learning object.

Why Hockey Cards Work as Motivating Classroom Tools

The real magic is that hockey cards are small, but they’re loaded with things kids want to look at and talk about. They get to hold something, turn it over, point at details, and ask questions. And it doesn’t matter if it’s boys or girls—lots of kids love having something tangible in their hands instead of just another worksheet.

A big box of “bulk” cards might not look like much when you first open it. But once it reaches a classroom, it becomes something completely different. Suddenly, it’s a spark. A reason for kids to chat with each other. A way to practice reading without realizing they’re reading—a little doorway into curiosity and teamwork.

And the best part? It sticks. Kids remember lessons tied to something they can hold. Hockey cards are the perfect size for learning.

A Box of Hockey Cards Might Only Look Like Cardboard, But …

Hockey cards are small, tactile, and packed with meaningful information. They give students something to hold, examine, question, and share. And for many—boys and girls alike—they tap into genuine interest and a sense of belonging.

A bulk box of cards may look ordinary, but in a classroom, it becomes something much bigger. They become a doorway to curiosity, teamwork, and learning that sticks.