Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
You are probably asking yourself, who are “Those Guys” – those two middle-aged men clad in yellow polo shirts.
Are they the team’s owners? Coaches? Equipment guys?
The ushers? Ticket takers? Concession stand workers?
Nope – they are the guys who produced a team set of minor league hockey cards. This might be the most self-serving hockey card of all time.
We as collectors spend a lot of time seeking out the trading cards that we want. But do we spend any time enjoying the cards once we have them? It seems like once I got a card that I liked, it would be tucked away in a nine-pocket page or filed into a box, seldom to be seen again.
That is understandable, since exposure to light over a long period of time can cause cards to fade. But recently, I got into the wonderful practice of putting my favorite cards on display. Here’s how you can safely display your favorite sports or gaming cards to show off to your friends and family – or just to enjoy having in your collection. Read the rest of the story at the BCW Supplies Blog.
Once upon a time, it was possible to collect every hockey card released during the season – especially when there were only two major sets available. But nowadays, it is impossible to collect every hockey card out there, especially when you consider all the parallels, autographs, jersey cards, and one-of-one cards.
Since it is impossible to collect everything, many card collectors focus on player collecting – that is, collecting just the cards of their favorite players.
Like an à la carte menu at a restaurant, which lets you order smaller portions of certain foods without the side dishes, player collecting allows you to sample every, base, parallel and insert set out there.
Continue reading “Player Collecting: The à La Carte of Card Collecting”
This week, the guys talk all about the upcoming 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Young Guns rookie cards, discuss how much Connor Bedard’s Young Guns rookie card will sell for at launch, and which other rookies will be worth adding to your collection. Plus, the new 2024 NHL All-Star jerseys inflicted on us by Justin Bieber. It’s one hour of hockey goodness.
Links
The Russian Penguins: An Oral History (The Hockey News)
2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Young Guns Checklist (Puck Junk Newsletter)
2024 NHL All-Star Jerseys Designed by Bieber’s Fashion Label (NHL.com)
And here’s that wacky Leafs jersey designed by Bieber (NHL.com)
Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi.
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube.
Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google 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. ■
When I went to the Sport Card Expo in Toronto back in November, one of the things I wanted to buy was an Auston Matthews Young Guns rookie card. In fact, there were a few different rookie cards of current stars that I was looking for.
The problem was, they were all more than I wanted to pay. Much of the new stuff was graded. And even ungraded copies of cards that I wanted were in the neighborhood of $500 or more.
That’s when I reminded myself of one of my long-standing card collecting strategies: know when to pivot your collecting focus, because you won’t know what you might find.
In the first Puck Junk Podcast for 2024, the guys talk about their collecting resolutions for the year, as well as collecting resolutions from the listeners. They also discuss if Connor Bedard’s injury will affect his card prices, the upcoming “Tough Guys” set by President’s Choice Trading Cards, the PWHL, and more. It’s 212 minutes of hockey goodness!
Links
President’s Choice Trading Cards “Tough Guys Set” (Facebook)
Sal’s article about NFTs for The Hockey News (The Hockey News)
Article about the 2009 NHL All-Star Game on Versus (Puck Junk)
Podcast: Does Changing Teams Affect Player Collecting (Puck Junk)
Collecting Resolutions for 2024 (Puck Junk)
Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi.
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube.
Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google 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. ■
The Boston Bruins turns 100 years old this season. The team was founded in 1924 and was the first National Hockey League team to play in the United States. Upper Deck recently released a boxed set commemorating 100 of the best players to wear the black and gold – and sometimes brown and gold – for Boston.
Costing around $50, the Bruins Centennial Box Set contains the entire 100-card set. You also get four parallel cards and one insert card, while some sets may also have a card autographed by a famous Bruins player.
Here is a closer look at the set’s design, player selection – and if it is worth buying.
Continue reading “Review: 2023-24 Boston Bruins Centennial Box Set”
The front of this hockey card says “Crowd Records.”
But what record is this crowd setting?
And why was this card even made, anyway?
Here’s a story about a Connor Bedard trading card I tried – unsuccessfully – to purchase recently.
Continue reading “Connor Bedard Game Dated Moments Card Sells Out in 8 Minutes – Twice!”
On Tuesday, former minor hockey league legend Cornelius “Connie” Madigan passed away at age 89. He has the record of being the oldest rookie to play in the NHL, which he set when he suited up for the St. Louis Blues towards the end of the 1972-73 season at the age of 38. Madigan’s stint with the Blues indirectly lead to a bit part in the film Slap Shot, which indirectly led to him getting his own rookie card – albeit 38 years after his NHL debut.