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

1963-64 Parkhurst #18 – Robert Baun

Robert Baun is the 24th card in my 1963-64 Parkhurst Hockey Set.

There are a few pin holes in the card and a dent on the back at the top. One of the corners is also rounded a bit.

But at $2.50–yes, two dollars and fifty cents–I could not turn down this 47-year old “artifact.”

47 years back, someone felt strongly enough about this card to want to pin it up where it could be seen and enjoyed.

If you think about it, this card was more loved than most modern cards, which are slapped into protective plastic immediately and sequestered in cool, dark, dry places for the rest of their existence.

1963-64 Parkhurst #50 – Alex Delvecchio

The last time I bought a Parkhurst card from 1963-64, it was February. Attending a card show this weekend, I decided to rectify that issue and get me some old Parkies. This one is of Hall of Fame Red Wing Alex Delvecchio, who proudly displays the “C” as team captain on his uniform.

The back of the card has a bit of a flaw–a slight crease towards the middle. The crease does not break through to the front, and actually looks worse in the scan than in real life.

This is the 23rd card in my 1963-64 Parkhurst set. Later this week, I’ll reveal the other cards I picked up at that show.

Last Year’s Upper Deck – New Low Price!

I noticed an interesting trend at my local Target retail store–last year’s Upper Deck cards are back on the shelves at lower prices.

Here is a tin of 2008-09 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey Cards–you know, the series that no one bought–for $12.99.

This perplexes the hell out of me. As my girlfriend can attest, I practically memorize the trading card aisle at my local Target store. Every time we go there–about once a week–I beeline for the cards, hoping to find something new and cool to purchase. I don’t recall 8-pack tins being sold at Target last year.

So, my theory is that Upper Deck had a bunch of unsold 24-pack boxes sent back to them, repacked the packs in tins and sent them back at a reduced price. Further supporting this idea is that these are 8-card packs, and not the standard 5-card packs usually found in tins and blasters.

That might also explain this blaster box of 2008-09 Upper Deck Ice.

I also don’t recall Ice being sold in blaster boxes during the 2008-09 season. Either Upper Deck had a ton of last year’s Ice sitting around their warehouse, or a retailer returned them en masse.

Upper Deck’s “Extreme Value” wasn’t just limited to hockey cards. Old football cards have also found their way to the shelves.

How about that? Nine packs of football cards for $6.99. But if this is 50% off, then the normal blaster price for football is $14, and not $20 like a hockey blaster. Man, even at full price you football collectors have it so good.

I also spotted this complete football factory set for $14.99. It even includes 2 jersey cards. Granted, it is from 2008–like the football blaster–but $15 for a complete set is more of a deal than $13 for 8 hockey packs.

Has anyone else spotted “old” cards from the past year or two making a comeback on the shelves of your local retail store? I guess selling off old cards at half-price is one way Upper Deck is raising the funds to pay off their lawsuits, eh?

LeBron in Miami = Good for Chicago Hockey

Lebron James likes to talk about himselfLebron James signing with the Miami Heat is the best thing that could have happened for hockey in Chicago.Actually, it doesn’t really matter where James ended up–so long as it was not with the Chicago Bulls.

Think about it. Right now the Chicago Blackhawks are the “Number Two” team in Chicago, right after the Bears. Football is so popular in Chicago, that only a dynastic performance by another Sports team would unseat them–like the Chicago Bulls did in the 1990s when they won 6 NBA titles (And yes, “Sports” is a proper noun in Chicago.)

If the biggest free agent in NBA history signed with the Bulls, it would elevate their status to at least that of the Blackhawks. And if Lebron led the Bulls to one or more NBA titles, then they could easily unseat the Bears as the team in Chicago.

Besides, a raving egotist like LeBron would only draw attention to himself–and thus to the Bulls–and away from the Blackhawks and hockey.

The ‘Hawks earned all the attention they are getting in Chicago right now. They won the Stanley Cup. They have a marketable group of young players signed for a long time. And they have legions of new fans.

LeBron James being on the Chicago Bulls would have negated those factors.

In order for hockey to succeed in the Windy City, the Blackhawks have to be great, and all the other sports teams here need to be bad. That is the harsh reality of Chicago Sports. Hockey will continue to grow in Chicago, but only if the Blackhawks remain competitive and the other Sports don’t provide any big distractions.

Unbeatable

1990-91 Upper Deck card #448 – Bob Probert

1990-91 Upper Deck card #448 - Bob ProbertBob Probet died suddenly and unexpectedly on July 5, 2010. A man who went toe-to-toe with the likes of McSorley, Domi and Brown – and overcame problems with drug abuse – ultimately lost a battle to a heart attack.

Needless to say, Probert was a tough man. No card better epitomizes Probert’s toughness than his 1990-91 Upper Deck hockey card. Continue reading “Unbeatable”

A Phone Call from Bob Probert

Tomorrow (Friday) is Bob Probert’s funeral.  Every fan I’ve spoken to–and every blog I’ve read–have all expressed their sadness at the untimely passing of the popular ex-NHL enforcer.

A short Bob Probert story I’d like to share happened in February of this year, when Mr. Probert called my cell phone. No, I am not claiming to have known the man–but it isn’t every day that a former NHL player calls up a run-of-the-mill hockey blogger such as myself. Continue reading “A Phone Call from Bob Probert”

Low Flame

1997-98 Donruss card #160 – Theoren Fleury

1997-98 Donruss card #160 - Theoren FleuryTheo Fleury was one of the shortest men to play in the NHL. Looking up at him from a “worm’s-eye view” perspective gives the diminutive forward a sense of importance and grandeur. But also viewing him “through the mask” of a goalie makes the photo less believable. If Fleury was only 5-foot-5, how short was this goalie?  Continue reading “Low Flame”