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

Who’s Going to The National this year?

If you haven’t heard by now, the National Sports Collectors’ Convention (a.k.a. “The National) will be held near Chicago from August 3 to 7. (link)

Not only is The National billed as the largest sports convention, but most of the card companies have special convention-only cards that you can get via wrapper redemption programs (like the Jonathan Toews you see above). For those two reasons, and because it is close to home, I will be going to the show all 5 days. 

Now I ask you, fellow bloggers and blog readers – are you going to The National? I’ve posted a poll (top, right), so please take a moment to vote in it.

More importantly, if you are going to the National, and would like to meet up for a bit, drop me a line at sjb44 AT hotmail DOT com.

I enjoy meeting other bloggers at card shows. Previously, I’ve met up with Tim (The Real DFG) and Justin G. (The Hopeful Chase), and those were some of the most fun shows I’ve been to. It was cool to meet people that I knew from the blogosphere, hang out for a bit and get rid of cards I don’t need TRADE cards with them.

So, if you’re going to The National, would like to meet up and maybe trade some cards, let me know.

Additional links of interest:

Sometimes I buy baseball cards

Although I consider myself strictly a hockey card collector, every now and then I stray a bit and buy baseball cards–but only if they are from my childhood.

As a kid in the mid-to-late 1980s, I watched quite a bit of baseball–sometimes because the Cubs games pre-empted The Transformers or G.I. Joe cartoons that I watched so religiously, and other times out of actual interest.

I bought my first pack of baseball cards in 1985, and continued buying them until 1990. But by then, hockey had taken over as my sport of choice to collect, and I sold off all my baseball cards.

Then a few years ago, I picked up complete 1985 and 1989 Topps Baseball and Traded sets.

Last week I picked up 4 more years from the “junk wax” era:

  • 1986 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set
  • 1987 Topps Baseball Set
  • 1988 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set
  • 1990 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set

When I go to the National next month, I will try to find a 1987 Topps Traded set. It shouldn’t be hard, but the trick is to get one for cheap. Then I will have every Topps baseball card set from 1985 to 1990. Worthless cards to die-hard baseball card aficionados, but timeless for this hockey fan.

Poll Results: Winnipeg Jets

A few weeks back, I discussed the seemingly unlimited amount of hockey fans who are rejoicing in Winnipeg’s re-entry into the NHL.

I also posted a poll, asking “Are you excited about the Winnipeg Jets return to the NHL?” Here are the answers (as illustrated above):

76% -Yes
9% – No
15% – I could care less

So it seems that 3 out of 4 respondents were excited about the Jets making a comeback. The other two groups – who are not excited or could care less – account for 24% total. These numbers are based on 46 poll responses. I did not vote in this poll.

Why I’m not going to Hawks Con this year

The fourth annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention takes place this weekend. And for the first time, I am not going.

Sure, I like the Blackhawks, getting autographs and buying hockey cards. Those are three really good reasons to go.

Unfortunately, the cons outweighed the pros.

Here are the reasons why I’m sitting out this year’s Chicago Blackhawks Convention: Continue reading “Why I’m not going to Hawks Con this year”

Some 1961-62 Topps Hockey Cards

I recently purchased 7 cards from the 1961-62 Topps Hockey set. They either have creases, rough edges or minor staining on the back. But for $3 each, I can’t complain. These cards are 50 years old, after all.

Click on any of the images to see larger

#21 – Action Near the Cage – Vintage Bruins-Blackhawks action from the ’60-61 season.

#49 – Earl Ingarfield – Played in the NHL from 1959 to 1971.

#63 – New York Rangers Team Photo – I love these old team photos.

#8 – John Bucyk – The Chief! Bucyk played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

#64 – Going, Going, Goal! – Rangers’ goalie Gump Worsley gest beat by Bruins forward Dick Meissner, who pokes in the puck at the goal line.

#20 – Boston Bruins Team Photo – Another great team shot. Team photos should be included in newer card sets, don’tcha think?

#23 – Rudy Pilous (coach) – Am I the only one who likes cards of coaches? From the back of this card…

Rudy, never a big league player himself, drove Black Hawks to Stanley Cup last season…Rudy’s a big, amiable guy with real gift for handling men.

See? Hard-hitting information you can’t find anywhere else but on the back of a vintage card.