Box Break: 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey Cards

Now three years into its comeback, Skybox Metal Universe hockey cards feature colorful designs of NHL players superimposed over space backdrops, with metal design elements. Hence, “metal” and “universe.” The cards are also printed on shiny, foil cardstock, While the designs aren’t quite as over-the-top as the Metal Universe cards from the 1990s, they will still appeal to both oldschool collectors who remember those sets, as well as the newer collectors who want something different.

A hobby box of 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe contains 15 packs. Each pack has seve cards, for a total of 105 cards. Hobby boxes originally cost around $130, but are now down to around $120 per box. A box has 15 various insert cards – including autographs, though those are not guaranteed – and 30 short-printed cards.

I recently opened a hobby box of 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe hockey cards. Here is what was inside.

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Puck Junk Podcast: 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey Cards

Plus: The Return of NHL SportsPicks
Episode #166: September 29, 2023

In Episode #166, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the new 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey card set, including what’s great about it, what could be better, and strategies for completing a set. They also discuss the new NHL SportsPicks figures by McFarlane Toys, Brad Marchand being named team captain of the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock getting fired for doing Mike Babcock things, and more! It’s 100 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes, Links and Images: 
Todd McFarlane Interview (Puck Junk)
The National Picks Chicago as Site for 2026 (Twitter)
Panini Stickers Feature on 60 Minutes (YouTube)
A few images from 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey:

2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe base card
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe base card (back)
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe short-printed rookie card
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – 2013 Retro 
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – 1998-99 Retro
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – Aspects 
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – Premium Prospects
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – All-Starring

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Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube

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2021-22 Skybox Metal Universe Hobby Box Break

I was a big fan of the 2020-21 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey card set, so naturally, I was excited when I heard that Upper Deck was coming out with Skybox Metal Universe for 2021-22. And they did — about halfway through the 2022-23 season. No matter. What’s important is that the cards are out now and ready to collect. Skybox Metal Universe cards are etched metallic foil (hence “Metal”) and have space-y backgrounds (hence “Universe”). 

A hobby box of 2021-22 Skybox Metal Universe costs around $150 and has 15 packs, each containing seven cards for a total of 105 cards. I recently got a box of Skybox Metal Universe. Here’s what was inside.

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Box Break: 2016-17 Fleer Showcase

Fleer Showcase is the “I Love the 90s” set of hockey cards. Many of the inserts found in this set use the same design as, or inspired by, hockey cards of the 1990s, along with some football and basketball designs too. Here we have Fleer Ultra, Flair — spelled F-L-A-I-R — Showcase, Fleer Metal Universe and other inserts that would make most kids from the 1990s smile. Oh yeah, there is a base set and some hits too.

A box of 2016-17 Fleer Showcase costs around $72 USD online and has 18 packs. Each pack has five cards. Here is what I found in my latest box break:

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Puck Junk Podcast #14 – August 17, 2016

…with Sal Barry and Tim Parish.


Player not working? Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud.

Twenty years ago, one of the most over-the-top hockey card sets was unleashed on unsuspecting collectors. Of course, we are talking about the Fleer Metal Universe set from 1996-97, which superimposed hockey players into weird cosmic settings.

Ever want to see Theoren Fleury on an alien planet with giant flowers, Felix Potvin catching an exploding puck, Dave Manson at the nucleus of an atom or Steve Yzerman with a frickin’ laser on his head?

If you said “Yes!” to any of those, well then, this is the set for you.

Podcast #14 is 36 minutes long and features rockin’ new intro music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Here are some of the cards that we talk about.

053_Curtis_Joseph

Curtis Joseph fighting off a swarm of flying eyeballs.

119_Dave_Manson

Dave Manson at the nucleus of an atom (or about to go nuclear!).

051_Steve_Yzerman

Steve Yzerman after being assimilated by the Borg.

018_Theoren_Fleury

Theoren Fleury skating through a flower garden on an alien planet.

056_Doug_Weight

Doug Weight being attacked by metal claws! Extreme!

036_Sandis_Osolinsh

Sandis Ozolinsh impersonating the Kool-Aid Man. OH YEAH!

194_Roman_Vopat

Roman Vopat emerging from a Stargate.

152_Felix_Potvin

Felix Potvin catching an exploding hand grenade.

BONUS:
Two more cards that we don’t talk about, but are still fun to look at.

170_Bryan_Berard

Bryan Berard hated his “fish sticks” Islanders jersey so much that he set it on fire. Unfortunately, he forgot to take it off first.

005_Steve_Ruccin

Steve Rucchin shattering a metal wall with a bruising body check. This may be the most “1990s” card ever made because it features a player who was only in the NHL because the league expanded like crazy, wearing a third jersey, on a shiny metallic trading card.

We want to know! Did you ever collect the 1996-97 Fleer Metal Universe Hockey set? What do you think about it? Leave a comment below.