Completing Your Sets is a Lot of Work!

Time is Money…and Money is Money. 

Earlier this month, I was writing an article about goalie-themed hockey card sets and mentioned the Between the Pipes sets that came out in the 2000s and 2010s. I went into my closet and found my 2013-14 Between the Pipes set so I could scan a few of its cards. 

Or, rather, I should say I found my near-complete set of 2013-14 Between the Pipes, as it is missing 14 cards. That means that, in over 10 years, I’ve never bothered to finish the set. I opened one box, put the cards in order, then promptly forgot about it for a decade.

I was then reminded that I made a Collecting Resolution for 2025 that I was going to try and complete as many sets as possible this year. Heck, I even wrote about it back in January, thinking that by making this proclamation public, I would follow through on it. 

Do you care to guess how many sets I’ve finished in 2025 so far? Continue reading “Completing Your Sets is a Lot of Work!”

New NHL SportsPicks Figures Out Now

13 More Figures to Collect – Including Goalies!

On Tuesday, McFarlane Toys announced the release of 13 new NHL SportsPicks hockey action figures. Making this release particularly exciting is that this is the first time the toyline will include goalies. Igor Shesterkin and Jeremy Swayman join 11 skaters in the latest assortment of SportsPicks figures.

The full checklist of new figures is as follows: Continue reading “New NHL SportsPicks Figures Out Now”

Puck Junk Podcast: 1980-81 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Setrospective

Plus: Parent, Giacomin & Goodenow
Episode #227: September 24, 2025

Sal Barry and Tim Parish have a long talk about the 1980-81 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card sets, discussing the best rookies, notable cards, and other interesting tidbits you didn’t know that you needed to know! And why does Sal still hate the 1980-81 Topps set so much? Plus, a look at the lives and careers of Bernie Parent, Ed Giacomin, and Bob Goodenow. The YouTube version of the podcast features video and photos. 

Show Notes and Links
Video: Bernie Parent Interview (Puck Junk)
Review: 1980-81 Topps Hockey Cards (Puck Junk)
Card of the Week: Oil Painting (Puck Junk) 

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Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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Puck Junk Podcast: Remembering Ken Dryden

Plus: 2024-25 Ice Hockey Cards
Episode #226: September 10, 2025

A discussion on the life and career of all-time goaltending great Ken Dryden, who sadly passed away on September 5. Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about Dryden’s many accomplishments on and off the ice, as well as some of his most-memorable hockey cards. Plus, a review of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Ice hockey card set, and Clemente’s recap of the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. It’s 108 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of this podcast features pictures of the cards and photos from the Rookie Showcase. 

Show Notes and Links
Ken Dryden Career Stats (HockeyDB)
Dryden Quits Hockey for Law Clerk Job (NY Times)
Dryden Ends Holdout, Signs Contract for Record $150,000 (NY Times)
1999-00 Upper Deck Century Legends #23 – Ken Dryden (Puck Junk)
Matthew Schaefer Ready to Anchor Islanders’ Future (Puck Junk)
Clemente’s 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase Story (Sports Collectors Digest)

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

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Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

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

Clemente’s Corner: Matthew Schaefer Ready to Anchor Islanders’ Future

When the New York Islanders stepped up to the podium at the 2025 NHL Draft, they didn’t just select a defenseman — they chose resilience.

Matthew Schaefer, an elite two-way blueliner from Ontario, was taken No. 1 overall this past June. At 6-foot-1 and loaded with skills that include smooth skating and crisp passing, Schaefer checks every box for a franchise looking to make the playoffs this season and be relevant again.  

But his game is only part of the story. The 17-year-old endured a year that would shake anyone – overcoming mono and sustaining a broken collarbone at the 2025 World Junior Championships. It also included the deaths – just months apart – of his mother and his billet mom. On draft night, he kissed a pink breast cancer ribbon stitched into his Islanders jersey.

Schaefer models his game after Cale Makar, but his mentality may be even more important to the Isles’ rebuild. Now, as he eyes his first NHL training camp, I caught up with Schaefer at the annual NHLPA Rookie Showcase, co-sponsored by Upper Deck, at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex near Washington, D.C.

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Matthew Schaefer Ready to Anchor Islanders’ Future”

2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hockey Box Break

Released at the end of the season, the 2024-25 Parkhurst Champions set gives retro flair to modern players. The cards are designed to look like they could be from the 1950s, with cut-out players superimposed over a bright, solid-colored background. 

A box of 2024-25 Parkhurst Champions is currently selling for around $130 for a 20-pack box, plus one bonus “Retro” pack. 

2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hobby Pack

Each of the 20 packs have eight cards. Packs have six base cards plus two other cards which are either a short print, a parallel, or an insert. A box contains one autograph, memorabilia, or lenticular (“magic motion”) card. 

2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Bonus Pack picturing Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe.

The “Bonus Pack” has five “1953-54 Retro Cards,” which use the 1953-54 Parkhurst design. It is possible to get an autograph or parallel “Retro” card in this pack. 

I recently opened a box of 2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hockey. Let’s take a closer look at what you get in a typical box. 

Continue reading “2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hockey Box Break”

Puck Junk Podcast: 1988-89 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Setrospective

Episode #225: August 26, 2025

Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a fond look back at the 1988-89 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets, known for its use of bright colors, drop shadows, and pushpins. They discuss why you should have both of these iconic sets – as well as a few related cards – in your collection. Other topics include a Georges Vezina rookie card topping $100K, the Red Wings retiring Sergei Fedorov’s number, and ECHL expansion. It’s 121 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of this podcast features pictures of the cards we talk about during the episode. 

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

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

Puck Junk Podcast: 2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hockey Cards

Episode #224: August 20, 2025

Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk all about the new 2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hockey Card set. Yes, the design looks great – but is it a set worth building? And what’s the deal with the bonus “Retro Pack?” Plus, discussions about Team USA winning the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament, eBay’s changes to its platform, and the NHL Network’s “Quarter Century Team” – and who they snubbed. It’s 107 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters so you can skip to your favorite part. The YouTube version of this episode features video and pictures, too. 

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

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

Mattel Releases Tim Horton’s PWHL Barbie Dolls – Then Promptly Sells Out!

Last week Monday, the Tim Horton’s donut chain teamed up with Mattel and the Professional Women’s Hockey League to sell two special hockey-themed Barbie dolls. One of the Barbie dolls is blonde and modeled after Marie-Philip Poulin, while the other has darker hair and is modeled after Sarah Nurse. 

But if you are looking for one, you’ll have to check eBay, because the dolls sold out the day they were released.

Continue reading “Mattel Releases Tim Horton’s PWHL Barbie Dolls – Then Promptly Sells Out!”

Puck Junk Podcast: 1991-92 Topps Stadium Club Hockey Setrospective

Episode #223: August 12, 2025

Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a long look back at the 1991-92 Topps Stadium Club Hockey set. It was the first Stadium Club hockey set, as well as one of the first premium sets of hockey trading cards. The guys talk about some of the best and worst cards from that set, as well as related cards worth collecting. Its 111 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of this podcast features pictures of the cards we talk about during the episode. 

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

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