A while ago, I bought 3 boxes of In The Game Enforcers. I actually video recorded the breaks to post on my YouTube channel, but then my video editing software got all crazy and decided to crash every time I opened it. So, the first break (and probably the next two) will just be boring ol’ blog posts.

I think everyone who reads this blog and liked this idea has bought a box or two by now. For those who are not aware, a cost per box was $65. Each box contained 12 “tough” cards, including 5 autographs.

Here are the results for my first box:

5 Autographs

Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to get a card of Gerard Gallant in this set.

And I wasn’t expecting Rich Pilon, either. Don’t get me wrong–autographs from these guys have “nostalgia value” to me, but I just don’t remember them

John Wensink – Don’t remember him–he was before my time. But the mustache definitely says “pugilist.”

Willi Plett was the NHL rookie of the year in 1977. A fine accomplishment for a guy who would end up accruing over 2,500 penalty minutes.

Now this is more like it. Autographs from players like Peter Worrell is what I was expecting to get. Worrell was an enforcer, through and through.

By the way, I love the design of these autograph cards. The sticker that has the autograph fits PERFECTLY on the bandage pad–really an ingenious design. And unlike Georges Laraque, I am not offended by the blood spatters on these cards.

Jersey Cards

Boyd Kane “Instigator” jersey card – I don’t remember this guy, but I guess this jersey must be from one of his 31 NHL games played sometime between 2003 and now.

Krzysztof Oliwa vs. Tie Domi “Combatants” – Two bad-to-the-bone enforcers. Oliwa was a 6″5 behemoth, and Domi was a very formidable fighter even though he is only 5″10.

Other Cards

There were 5 different non-memorabilia subset cards in the box, too.

Tale of the Tape: Brashear vs. Ray – The back of the card gives stats on each player (height, weight, career penalty minutes) and a short recap of the fight between these two on March 5, 2004.

Bloody Battles: Gilles vs. Brookbank (top) and McCarthy vs. Probert (bottom)
I like these two cards, which use illustrations of a famous fight between the two players. Too bad they are devoid of team logos and markings – no “crossed tomahawks” on Probert’s shoulder, for example.

Tough Franchises: Vancouver Canucks. – Showing four tough guys from one team is a good “subset” idea. I just wish they used a different photo of Tiger Williams. It’s like the band photo where the lead singer, bass player and drummer are all looking off while the rhythm guitarist is looking right at the camera.

Enforcers Record Holders: Dave Schultz. – According to this card, “The Hammer” got 42 penalty minutes in a playoff game, setting the record.

Overall

I like the idea for this set, and I like getting 5 autographs in a box. But what underwhelmed me was some of the players I got autographs of–at least in this box. However, I plan on putting together the base set.