Tag: O-Pee-Chee

The 35 Best Hockey Cards from 1990-91

Hockey cards exploded in popularity during the 1990-91 season. Baseball, football and basketball cards had steadily gained momentum during the 1980s. In 1990, it was hockey’s turn. Upper Deck, Score and Pro Set joined incumbents Topps and O-Pee-Chee to release hockey card sets that season. This resulted in an arms race between the five companies, who tried to outdo each other and make cards of the best prospects and hottest rookies before their competitors did. 

As a result, a slew of great rookie cards were issued that year. The 1990-91 NHL season had arguably the best rookie class of any year for hockey card collectors. The NHL rookie of the year winners from 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994 all had rookie cards made during the 1990-91 season. And over a dozen future Hall of Fame players had rookie cards in ’90-91. 

The downside was that most hockey cards from 1990-91 were produced in such vast amounts that it is considered the start of the “Junk Wax Era” for hockey cards. 

Yet not all hockey cards issued during the 1990-91 season are worthless. In addition to some great rookie cards, there are also some hidden gems and a legendary chase card. Plus, any card on this list with a high PSA or BGS grade can fetch a premium on the secondary market. 

But graded or ungraded, these are the 35 best hockey cards from 1990-91 that every hockey card collector should own. 

Continue reading “The 35 Best Hockey Cards from 1990-91”

Puck Junk Podcast: 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier Hockey

Part 3 of the ’90-91 Retrospective Series
Episode #93: June 4, 2021

Thirty years ago was the “Hockey Card Explosion,” when hockey cards skyrocketed in popularity as several new companies entered the market during the 1990-91 season. In the third part of this special podcast series, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a long look at the 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier Hockey set, which was the most-valuable and arguably the most-popular set from that season. 

Show Notes, Links, and Images:
Write us a review at Apple Podcasts (link)
1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Every 1990-91 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier Hockey Card Images 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #38 – Wayne Gretzky

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #38 – Wayne Gretzky (back)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #63 – Mario Lemieux

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #63 – Mario Lemieux (back)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #6 – Rob Blake (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #30– Sergei Fedorov (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #50 – Jaromir Jagr (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #51 – Curtis Joseph (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #71 – Mark Messier

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #74 – Mike Modano (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #76 – Andy Moog

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #100– Jeremy Roenick (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #103 – Denis Savard

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #114 – Mats Sundin (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #126– Mike Vernon

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier Wrapper

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast opening and closing music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
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Puck Junk Podcast: 1990-91 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey

Part 2 of the ’90-91 Retrospective Series
Episode #90: April 28, 2021

Thirty years ago was the “Hockey Card Explosion,” when hockey cards skyrocketed in popularity as several new companies entered the market. In the second part of this podcast series, Sal Barry and Tim Parish examine the often-overlooked 1990-91 Topps and O-Pee-Chee sets, including the insert sets and box bottom cards. 

Show Notes, Links and Images:
Write us a review at Apple Podcasts (link)
1990-91 Topps Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
The Card Shop in the Basement of the Hat Store (Puck Junk) 
Chicago Blackhawks – Minnesota North Stars Pregame Brawl (YouTube)
1990-91 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Images 

1990-91 Topps #120 – Wayne Gretzky

1990-91 Topps #120 – Wayne Gretzky (back)

1990-91 Topps #348- Mike Modano (Rookie Card)

1990-91 Topps #175- Mario Lemieux

1990-91 Topps #175- Mario Lemieux (back)

1990-91 Topps Team Scoring Leaders Inserts #14 – Joe Sakic

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #527 – Wayne Van Dorp (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #527 – Wayne Van Dorp (Rookie Card)
Note the text on the back that refers to the pregame brawl.

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #436- Alain Chevrier

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #430- Tim Cheveldae (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #77 – Brett Hull…what a great smile! 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #461 – Tim Watters  (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #1 – Wayne Gretzky “Number One”

 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #522 – Wayne Gretzky (Art Ross Trophy Winner)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #262 – Buffalo Sabres

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #75 – John Vanbiesbrouck

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #131 – James Patrick; note the incorrect border colors

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #214 – Jim Waite Top Prospect (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #19R - Sergei Fedorov

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army Inserts #19R – Sergei Fedorov (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army Inserts #17R – Viktor Tikhonov (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army Inserts #7R – Arturs Irbe (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red #501 – Arturs Irbe – AGAIN! (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #485 – Sergei B. Makarov (RC)
Not to be confused with 1990 Rookie of the Year Sergei Makarov

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #445 – Sergei Mylnikov (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Box Bottoms #G – Mario Lemieux 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Factory Set
Top Panel with Mark Messier & Nikolai Varjanov

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Factory Set
Front Panel with Bill Ranford (Conn Smythe Trophy Winner)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Factory Set –
Back Panel with some  interesting players shown.

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast opening and closing music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube. 

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: The Million Dollar Gretzky Rookie plus 2020-21 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey

Episode #76: December 9, 2020

After a three-week hiatus, Sal Barry and Tim Parish are back with a new episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast. This time, they talk about the release of 2020-21 Upper Deck Series One Hockey cards — and some of the production problems that have plagued the set. The guys also discuss the PSA 10 Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee rookie card that will become the most-valuable hockey card of all-time. Plus, new and upcoming releases, “COMC Jail,” and more.

Show Notes, Links and Images: 
2020-21 Upper Deck Series One Hockey Checklist (Cardboard Connection)
President’s Choice Trading Cards (website)
Upper Deck E-Pack (website)
Why – and How – Hockey Cards Have Made a Comeback (The Score)
PSA 10 Wayne Gretzky OPC Rooke Auction (Heritage Auctions)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube. 

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

Episode #70: October 15, 2020

It’s been a month, but we’re back! In the latest Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish discuss some of the offseason moves by NHL teams. They also talk about the upcoming Virtual Expo 2.0 and new hockey card releases. Then the guys take a long, detailed look at the 2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Hockey card set by Upper Deck. 

Show Notes, Links and Images:
The Virtual Expo 2.0 (Show Site)
President’s Choice Trading Cards Game Used (President’s Choice Website)
2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Hockey checklist (Cardboard Connection)

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee card images:

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #398 – Patrick Marleau
…forever immortalized as a Penguins player

Card backs have up to 10 seasons of stats.

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #330 – Mika Zibanejad

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #33 – Connor McDavid

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #289 – Sidney Crosby

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #521 – Gage Quinney (Marquee Rookies)

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #550 – Wayne Gretzky (Marquee Legends)

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #584 – Leon Draisaitl (League Leaders)

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #188 – Nathan Beaulieu (Blue Border Parallel) 

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #12 – Travis Zajac (Red Parallel, because WHY NOT?)

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #18 – Duncan Keith (Retro Parallel)

Retro Parallel card backs look a lot like early 1980s O-Pee-Chee card backs.

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee #213 – Phil Kessel (Retro Black Border Parallel)

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee – Premier “Tall Boys” Inserts #P-12 – Brent Burns.
Tall Boys or Small Boys? You decide. 

O-Pee-Chee Premier card backs are printed in full color.

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee – Playing Cards 3♥ – Pekka Rinne

Playing Card Backs are black with gold ink.

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Hockey – sealed box

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Hockey – sealed pack

2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Hockey packs are somewhat difficult to open. 

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube. 

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

Episode #68: August 28, 2020

In the latest Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish look back at the 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card set. They also discuss the pause of the NHL playoffs due to players protesting systemic racism, the legacy of Dale Hawerchuk, Mike Milbury putting his shoe in his mouth one too many times, the problem with Topps NOW Hockey stickers, and much more. This episode is 2 hours 8 minutes, so kick back and enjoy!

Show Notes, Links and Images:
NHL Postpones Games Until Saturday (NHL.com)
Dale Hawerchuk’s page on the Hockey Hall of Fame Website (HHOF)
NBC Removes Mike Milbury Due to Comments (Yahoo Sports)
Review of “The Don Cherry Story, Part 1” (Puck Junk)
Review of “The Don Cherry Story, Part 2” (Puck Junk)
Marc-Andre Fleury Asks Agent to Delete Controversial Tweet (NBC PHT)
Topps Now NHL Sticker Archive with Print Runs (Topps)
2020-21 Upper Deck MVP Hockey Checklist (Cardboard Connection)

The 1981-82 Oilers card of Wayne Gretzky with a mullet…

…looking like Jack Blades from the band Night Ranger.

Images of the 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card set:

1982-83 OPC #106 – Wayne Gretzky

1982-83 OPC #106 – Wayne Gretzky (back)

1982-83 OPC #380- Dale Hawerchuk rookie card

1982-83 OPC #105 – Grant Fuhr rookie card 

1982-83 OPC #123 – Ron Francis rookie card

1982-83 OPC #307 – Joe Mullen rookie card

1982-83 OPC #342 – Marc Crawford rookie card.
More about this card here.

1982-83 OPC #327 – Bob McGill rookie card

1982-83 OPC #48 – Steve Konroyd rookie card

1982-83 OPC #165 – Dino Ciccarelli second card

1982-83 OPC #292 – Peter Stastny second card

1982-83 OPC #252 – Mark Howe

1982-83 OPC #64 – Tony Esposito

1982-83 OPC #265 – Randy Carlyle.
Note the “UFO” in the lower-left corner

1982-83 OPC #107 – Wayne Gretzky “In Action”

Mel Bridgman In Action

1982-83 OPC #40 – Mel Bridgeman “In Action”…or is it “Inaction“…?

1982-83 OPC #238 Paul Baxter Penalty Minutes Leaders

1982-83 OPC #4 – Mikko Leinonen Record Breakers.
Tim thinks that he looks like Peter Dinklage. 

1982-83 OPC Hockey Wrapper

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube. 

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: April 17, 2020

1973-74 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

In today’s episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look back at the 1973-74 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card sets. They also get caught up in all the hockey happenings in the news. This episode is 1 hour and 35 minutes of pure hockey goodness!

Show Notes, Links and Images:
Video: Sal’s appearance on Pittsburgh Hockey Now (Puck Junk)
Jessica’s “Genuine Heroes” trading card (Twitter)
Kris Versteeg retires — again! (ESPN)
1973-74 Topps Hockey checklist (Trading Card DB)
1973-74 O-Pee-Chee checklist (Trading Card DB)
The story of Dale Tallon wearing #9 for the Blackhawks (Puck Junk)

Here’s Sidney Crosby with a dog:

1973-74 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card images: 

1973-74 Topps #162 – Billy Smith

1973-74 Topps #81 – Bill Barber

1973-74 Topps #149 – Dave Schultz (RC)

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #237Larry Robinson (RC)

1973-74 Topps #119 – Doug Favell 

1973-74 Topps #129 – Dale Tallon

1973-74 Topps #32 – Dan Maloney

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #3 – Phil Roberto

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #124 – Steve Durbano (RC)

1973-74 Topps #173 – Jean Ratelle

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #91 – Joe Watson

1973-74 Topps #31 – Wayne Stephenson

1973-74 Topps #85 – Dave Keon

1973-74 Topps #83 – Brian “Spinner” Spencer
(I accidentally called him “Dave” in the episode)

1973-74 Topps #10 – Ken Dryden

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #121 – Mike Robitaille

…and the cartoon on the back. (More about that story here.)

1973-74 Topps #100 – Montreal Canadiens

1973-74 Topps #182 – Derek Sanderson

1973-74 Topps #15 – Gary Unger 

1973-74 Topps Insert Stickers – Bruins logo / Penguins flag

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

The 15 Best Hockey Cards from 1989-90

Hockey card collecting was on a precipice during the 1989-90 season. It hadn’t yet taken the plunge into the abyss of overproduction, inflated prices and rookie cards of practically anyone who got within 10 feet of an NHL uniform — succinctly known as the “Junk Wax Era.”  Hockey cards were rapidly becoming more and more popular, accelerated by the trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988.

Yet, only two companies issued mainstream sets that season. The 198-card Topps set was sold in the U.S. and its near-identical, though slightly larger, cousin O-Pee-Chee sold a 330-card set in Canada.

But if you dig a little deeper, you will find that there were many other cards issued that year that stray from the beaten path — from team-issue cards to minor and junior league trading card sets, to cards printed on the side of food boxes. 

Here is a look at the 15 best hockey cards from the 1989-90 season. Keep in mind that most of these cards aren’t particularly valuable, with most ranging from $2 to $5 each — and even that might be pushing it. Anyone with a love of hockey cards and hockey history should consider having these in their cardboard collection. 

Continue reading “The 15 Best Hockey Cards from 1989-90”

Puck Junk Podcast: March 24, 2020

1986-87 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the cancellation of the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships and two Ottawa Senators players testing positive for COVID-19. They discuss Wayne Gretzky breaking the all-time goal record 26 years ago, and how Coronavirus disease has affected the trading card hobby. Finally, they take a long look at the 1986-87 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets.

Show Notes and Links: 
NHL Provides Q&A Regarding Coronavirus Pause (NHL)
IIHF Worlds cancellation FAQ (IIHF)
Possible Names for Seattle’s NHL Team (Puck Junk)
Every 1993-94 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
Video: Wayne Gretzky breaks Gordie Howe’s goal record. (SportsNet)
Picture: 1993-94 Pinnacle Wayne Gretzky Card #512 (Trading Card DB)
Picture: 1993-94 Upper Deck Wayne Gretzky “802” card (Trading Card DB)
Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo – Response to COVID-19 (Sport Card Expo)
1986-87 Topps Hockey Card Checklist (Trading Card DB)
1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Custom Joel Otto and Moe Lemay “Corrected” cards (Puck Junk)
Puck Junk Facebook Group (Facebook)

Here are some images from the 1986-87 Topps and O-Pee-Chee sets:

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Patrick Roy rookie card

1986-87 Topps Mario Lemieux – 2nd major card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Gary Suter rookie card

1986-87 Topps John Vanbiesbrouck rookie card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Wendel Clark rookie card

1986-87 Topps Dirk Graham rookie card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Steve Thomas rookie card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Roberto Romano rookie card – love the alliteration!

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Joel Otto rookie card – ERROR – pictures Moe Lemay

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Moe Lemay – ERROR – pictures Joel Otto

1986-87 Topps Murray Bannerman – dig that mask!

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Box Bottoms Wayne Gretzky

1986-87 Topps Insert Stickers Michel Goulet All-Star

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Goals Against Leaders Bob Froese

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Save Percentage Leaders Bob Froese

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: February 7, 2020

1985-86 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

In this episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a long look back at the 1985-86 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card sets. They also talk about some new releases, including 2019-20 Upper Deck Allure. This podcast weighs in at 90 minutes, so get ready for an extra-large helping of hockey goodness!

Show Notes and Links:
2019-20 Upper Deck Allure Hockey Checklist (Beckett)
Mike Mondano making “Modano Face” (image)
That rare Zdeno Chara Day with the Cup card (image)
Some images from the 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee set:

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast intro and ending music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■