Review: 1991 Louisville Hockey Stick Cards

1991-92 Louisville Pat Lafontaine

Odd, oversized cards of NHL superstars

1991-92 Louisville Mark Messier 1991-92 Louisville Pat Lafontaine

Not much is known about these two hockey cards. The backs are blank, and there is no copyright date on them. The cards measure 4″ x 6″ and feature former NHL superstars Mark Messier and Pat Lafontaine. Each is in an All-Star Game uniform, and at the bottom it reads “Louisville” – the manufacturer of the hockey sticks that Messier and Lafontaine are using in the pictures.

The dealer that I bought these cards from didn’t know much either. He used to get them in the early 1990s from an acquaintance who worked for the printer that made the cards. My best guess is that these were promotional cards used for autograph appearances in shops that carried Louisville sticks. This is evidenced by a rectangular, slightly brighter and less glossy area on the card right below the player’s photo.

The cards were most likely released during the latter half of the 1990-91 season, or perhaps during the summer of 1991. Two details support this notion:

  • Lafontaine and Messier are in uniforms from the 1991 NHL All-Star Game, which was held in Chicago on January 19, 1991.
  • Lafontaine’s card lists him as a member of the New York Islanders, while Messier’s lists him with the Edmonton Oilers. Both were traded to new teams in October 1991.

Had these cards been made after 1991, they would have reflected the trades to their new teams.

It is unknown if Louisville had more cards made featuring different players.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5These are more of interest to those who collect cards of Messier or Lafontaine. They’re neat to own if you like oddball cards too. But while the shiny silver borders look snazzy, without autographs on them the cards look noticeably empty.

NOTE: If anyone has any Louisville cards of different players, please Contact me.

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Author: Sal Barry

Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk

3 thoughts on “Review: 1991 Louisville Hockey Stick Cards”

  1. Somewhere I have some similar cards(might be for Cooper) 2 different–I think one is Sean Burke–got them from someone who worked in a printers shop (and a Bruins fan)-since they were free I won't hold that against him

  2. Funny that we got these via the printer (or someone did through the printer) and not the manufacturer or an actual hockey supply store.

  3. Know what would make these cards looks extra sharp? An autograph in that big white space. I might have to use this design for some customs to send out.

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