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

Puck Junk Podcast: 2015-16 Upper Deck Hockey Setrospective

Plus: Chicago Game Worn Jersey Expo Recap
Episode #231: November 19, 2025

Sal, Tim and Clemente look back at the 2015-16 Upper Deck Hockey set that was released a decade ago – and how both Connor McDavid’s Young Guns card and the start of the e-Pack platform changed hockey collecting forever. Plus, game-worn jersey collector Sean Sullivan gives his recap of the recent Toronto Sport Card Expo and last weekend’s Chicago Game Worn Jersey Expo. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video.

Links
Chicago Blackhawks Jersey History website.
Follow Sean Sullivan on Twitter at @sulli26.
Chicago Sports Spectacular website. 

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 2024-25 PWHL Hockey Cards

Plus: Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Episode #230: November 12, 2025

Sal, Tim, and Clemente give their review of the 2024-25 PWHL hockey card set. Plus, a discussion about the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductees, the recent statement by the President of Upper Deck, and Alex Ovechkin reaching 900 goals. It’s 120 minutes of hockey goodness – with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite parts. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. 

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 1975-76 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Setrospective

Episode #229: November 5, 2025

Sal Barry and Clemente Lisi take a long look back at the 1975-76 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets, which were released 50 years ago. They discuss the best cards, top rookies – there’s not many! – and worst “paint jobs” the sets have. Plus, a look ahead at two major card conventions and an upcoming game-worn hockey jersey expo. It’s 95 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. 

Links
Sport Card Expo Toronto website
Chicago Game Worn Jersey Expo Facebook page
Chicago Sports Spectacular website
1975-76 Topps Hockey checklist (Trading Card Database)
1975-76 O-Pee-Chee Hockey checklist (Trading Card Database)

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 2025-26 Artifacts Hockey Cards

Plus: Questions for the 2025-26 Season
Episode #228: October 8, 2025

Sal Barry and Clemente Lisi look at the new 2025-26 Artifacts Hockey cards and discuss the pros and cons of this impossible-to-complete set. Plus, Topps starts making hockey cards again, the Chantilly Show might need a new home, and our big questions for the 2025-26 NHL season. It’s 133 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of the podcast features video and photos. 

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. ■

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) 

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. ■

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.

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. ■

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.

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. ■