Original Six defensemen honored by Canada Post

Stamp collectors who love hockey can rejoice over Thursday’s release by the Canada Post of a new collection honoring the great NHL Original Six defensemen.

The second series of a five-year commemorative program features Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins, Toronto’s Tim Horton, Chicago’s Pierre Pilote, Detroit’s Red Kelly, Montreal’s Doug Harvey and Harry Howell of the New York Rangers.

All except Horton, a three-time member of the NHL’s First Team All-Star, won the Norris Trophy. Horton finished second twice.

“The six hockey legends celebrated by Canada Post defined, and in some cases redefined, the defensive position at a golden time in the sport’s history,” said Lisa Raitt, Canada’s minister of Transport, who’s responsible for Canada Post. “Hockey transcends sport in Canada. It’s part of our very fabric.”

The series also includes a Zamboni version with a logo for each team based in Canada.

Orr, Pilote, Kelly and Howell gathered Thursday in the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Esso Great Hall, home of the Stanley Cup, to unveil the stamps with Jeri Horton Joyce, Tim Horton’s daughter, and Doug and Glen Harvey, Doug Harvey’s sons.

Designed by Avi Dunkelman and Joe Gault, each stamp features an image of the player in uniform, their enlarged jersey numbers in the background.

Photos of the ceremony were posted on the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Twitter account.