Hockey cards from 1900 to 1919 are among the rarest in the hobby, capturing the sport during its formative years before and shortly after the NHL was founded in 1917. This era is defined by beautifully designed tobacco cards, vibrant lithographed artwork and ornate decorative borders. Many of the goalie rookie cards from this era did not play after NHL's formation. Rookie cards of Georges Vezina, Paddy Moran, and Clint Benedict are found in this era. You'll also find a handful of skaters in the archive, including Art Ross and Lester Patrick, who appeared in NHL games as emergency goaltenders before dedicated backup goalies existed. Since they played the position at the NHL level, their rookie cards have earned a place in the Goalie Archive alongside the game's pioneering netminders.