Four Tips for Moving Your Collection

Moving to a new home is a stressful time – even more stressful if you also have a collection that needs to be moved. In a perfect world, you buy a house and then start filling it with sports cards and other treasures, without ever having to worry about getting your collection safely from Point A to Point B.

But things don’t always happen that way. Maybe you rediscovered collecting a few years after college, dug up your old collection out of your parents’ basement, and took it back to your apartment to rekindle your interest. Or maybe you sold your house for that bigger and better house. Regardless of the reason, when you move, you want to move your collection without it getting damaged. After living in the same place for 12 years, I recently had to relocate myself and my sports card collection to a new home. Here are four tips on how to do it safely and effectively.

1. Get organized

This almost goes without saying, but a little organization goes a long way. If you have the time and room, several weeks before a move is a great time to sort your collection, as it will make packing and unpacking easier. Gather up all of the same type of collectibles and get them into one area so that you can pack them together. Many collectors, myself included, have a habit of stashing things here and there. For example, I had some hockey pucks displayed on a shelf, more pucks in a box in my closet, and even more pucks in a 1,600-count card Shoe Storage Box that was stashed with my cards. Once I got all my pucks in a row, I realized that I’d need a heavy-duty box with handles to move them in.

It is best to box similar items together for two reasons. Read the rest of the story at the BCW Supplies Blog

Puck Culture: Five Todd McFarlane / Hockey Crossovers

Comic book creator and artist Todd McFarlane is a legend in his industry, having worked for many years on The Amazing Spider-Man and Spawn. But he’s also a huge hockey fan and has been involved with the sport in one way or another over the past 30 years.

1. Spawn-Themed Hockey Merchandise

McFarlane’s Spawn comic character appeared on some hockey-related merchandise in the 1990s. Spawn, dressed up as a hockey player, was pictured on a trading card that was given away with a sports magazine in 1994. Then, in 1998, the Spawn logo was emblazoned on a pair of 1:45-scale die-cast Olympia ice resurfacers sold in stores, as well as a puck given away at OHL Plymouth Whalers games on “Spawn Night.”

Read the rest of the story at The Hockey News

Puck Junk Podcast: June 17, 2020

2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey Cards

In this week’s episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look back at the 2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey card set. It was one of the last sets to be released that season, but stands out as one of the best. Plus, they talk about new cards from Upper Deck and President’s Choice Trading Cards, and about this weekend’s Virtual Expo. It’s 80 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes, Links and Images: 
‘NHL’s Who Wore It Best?’: Nos. 10-1 (NHL.com)
Book Review: The Code (Puck Junk)
Ryan Reaves re-signs with Vegas (Twitter)
The Annual Puck Junk Awards from 2018 and 2019
Four Tips for Moving Your Collection (BCW Supplies Blog)
1990-91 Pro Set Hockey Series 1 Pack Break Video (YouTube)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments for Week 36 (Upper Deck)
2019-20 Upper Deck Ice checklist (Cardboard Connection)
Book Review: Sean Avery’s autobiography (Puck Junk)
President’s Choice Trading Cards AutoMemo cards (President’s Choice)
President’s Choice Trading Cards DualMemo cards (President’s Choice
Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Virtual Expo (Puck Junk)
Register to Attend the Virtual Expo  (Sport Card Expo)

NOTE: The Puck Junk Podcast will broadcast live from the Virtual Expo on Saturday at 11 am ET. You can find the show at the Expo on the Main Stage. 

Images from 2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey:

#390 – Mario Lemieux

#561 – Martin Brodeur

#400- Joe Thornton

#500 – Mr. Hockey (Gordie Howe)

#657 – Sidney Crosby (RC)

#646 – Henrik Lundqvist (RC)

#669 – Alexander Ovechkin (RC)

#670 – Tomas Fleischmann (RC)
I scanned this one by mistake, thinking he was Alex Ovechkin 🙂

2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey hobby box top

2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey wrapper

2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey Review, with more images (Puck Junk)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play MusicSpotifyiHeartRadioStitcherPodchaserPocketCastsCastbox , Castro,
OvercastTuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to the Puck Junk YouTube Channel

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

Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Virtual Expo

As many of you know by now, the Spring Sport Card Expo is taking place this weekend as a “Virtual Expo.” Sure, you won’t be able to walk around a convention floor and sift through cards until your fingers are numb. We all miss that experience, but the promoters of the Sport Card Expo are giving us the next-best thing: the first-ever Virtual Expo! It will be an opportunity to meet other collectors, buy some cards and other collectibles, and hear special guests tell stories during panel discussions. If that wasn’t cool enough, the Virtual Expo is now free for attendees. Read on to learn about what you need to get the most out of this weekend’s upcoming “Virtual Expo.”

Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Virtual Expo”

Puck Junk Pack Break: 1990-91 Pro Set Hockey Series 1

If you are anything like me, you are probably thinking, “Man, what the world really needs right now is another chubby geek opening packs of trading cards on YouTube.” 

Thus, I am happy to report that I am going to start doing hockey card pack breaks on YouTube. Or perhaps I should say restart, as I did do a few pack breaks on YouTube back in 2011, when I was less chubby but equally as geeky. 

Truth be told, I’ve been itching to restart making pack break videos ever since the COVID-19 pandemic gave me good reason to shelter-at-home. I work from home, and spend most of my time at home. I’m around my collection a lot more, and rediscovered a two-column shoe box of unopened hockey packs from various sets and years…and I think it is time I start opening these packs! 

But before I could attempt to become the George Lucas of hockey card pack break videos — who you calling scruffy-looking? — I had to change my living situation first. I had to find a new place to live, pack my belongings, move, unpack and get settled. I’m unpacked and settled enough that I can finally start creating some videos. 

To launch the return of my pack break videos, I’m starting with a pack of my favorite  cards of all-time: 1990-91 Pro Set Hockey Series 1. You get a lot of cards in the pack — and I actually got an extra card in this one. Plus, I pulled a pretty good card…well, good for Pro Set. 

If you watch this video, please fire off a comment, either here or on YouTube. Let me know what you think, either about the video itself and how it could be better, or about the cards that I got in this pack. Oh, and please be sure to subscribe to the Puck Junk YouTube Channel. ■ 

Love hockey collectibles and/or hockey culture? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group and follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk

What if…the Quebec Nordiques Drafted Denis Savard?

How a series of backroom deals 40 years ago robbed the Quebec Nordiques of a future superstar — and gave the Chicago Blackhawks one of their all-time greats

Forty years ago today, on June 11, 1980, the NHL held its annual draft in Montreal. With the third overall pick, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Denis Savard, a skillful and speedy center who became the face of the franchise during the 1980s. Savard dazzled fans with his moves and was part of the team’s rebuild towards respectability. Any media guide or team-written biography will tell you of Savard’s offensive prowess. What is almost never mentioned is that Chicago’s selection of Savard was a perfect storm of backroom negotiations by the Blackhawks, a poor decision by the Quebec Nordiques, unfair rules against expansion teams – and the stellar play of a fellow Quebecor named Réal Cloutier.

Continue reading “What if…the Quebec Nordiques Drafted Denis Savard?”

Puck Junk Podcast: June 9, 2020

1989-90 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

Sal Barry and Tim Parish look back 30 years at the 1989-90 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card sets and reminisce about why those sets were awesome then — and still awesome today. Plus, they talk about the upcoming  “Virtual” Sport Card Expo happening June 19-20. Today’s episode is  90 minutes of pure hockey goodness! 

Show Notes, Images and Links: 
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments for Week 35 (Upper Deck Blog)
2019-20 SP Authentic Checklist (Cardboard Connection)
Sport Card Expo Virtual Expo (website)
The first Puck Junk Podcast from May 12, 2015 (Puck Junk)
1989-90 Topps Review & Checklist (Puck Junk)
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee Checklist (Trading Card DB)
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee Tembec Test Prototype Cards (Puck Junk)
1991-92 Pro Set Niedermayer and Falloon Pro Set Cards (Puck Junk)
1999-2000 Century Legends Ken Dryden “not-a-card” card (Puck Junk)
1996-97 Donruss Elite Lindros & Lemieux uncirculated card (Puck Junk)
Tim’s “Opening Packs in Cars” Videos (YouTube)

Images of 1989-90 Topps and O-Pee-Chee cards:

1989-90 Topps #156 – Wayne Gretzky

1989-90 Topps #1 – Mario Lemieux

1989-90 Topps #113 – Joe Sakic

1989-90 Topps #136 – Brian Leetch

1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #235 – Larry Robinson

1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #63 – Randy Cunneyworth

1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #278 – Borje Salming

1989-90 Topps #189 – Guy Lafleur

1989-90 Topps #132 – Alain Chevrier

1989-90 Topps #74 – Doug Gilmour

1989-90 Topps #11 – Peter Sidorkiewdz

1989-90 Topps Hockey wrapper

Comparison of Tembec test issue and standard O-Pee-Chee card: 

Tembec card is in the middle; standard O-Pee-Chee card is on the right. 

The infamous Randy Cunneyworth error — is it real? 

Note that the text that reads “Pittsburgh Penguins” on the card front — that is the error. If you have this card, Sal will buy or trade you for it. 

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play MusicSpotifyiHeartRadioStitcherPodchaserPocketCastsCastbox , Castro,
OvercastTuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: June 5, 2020

The NHL and Racial Justice

In this episode, Sal Barry is joined by guest co-host Blake Isaacs, the author of the weekly Blake’s Takes column. They discuss the reaction to the past week of violence and civil unrest by the NHL and some of its players. Sal and Blake also talk about the Red Wings’ next team captain and the logo design for the Henderson Silver Knights. 

Show Notes and Links:
Shea Weber’s statement (NHL.com)
John Tavares’ statement (Twitter)
Jonathan Toews’ statement (Instagram)
NHL statement calls on racial justice (NHL.com)
How J.T Brown’s protest reveals the worst of hockey’s racist and political bias (SB Nation)
John Vanbiesbrouck Resigns After Using Racial Slur (New York Times)
List of Bail Funds for Protestors across the Country (via GitHub)
Black Lives Matter Chicago (official website
Henderson Silver Knights logo details (picture)
Henderson Silver Knights official website
Toledo Walleye logo (picture)
Peoria Rivermen logo, circa 2006 (picture)
Lansing Lugnuts Mascot “Big Lug” (picture)
Kia Soul commercial with hamsters (YouTube)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Blake Isaacs on Twitter @bisaacs1995.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play MusicSpotifyiHeartRadioStitcherPodchaserPocketCastsCastbox , Castro,
OvercastTuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: May 27, 2020

The NHL Plans to Restart

The NHL is back! Well, it will be back in July — hopefully — with 24 postseason teams, qualifying rounds, and a convoluted, two-phase draft lottery. Sal Barry and Tim Parish break down every aspect of the NHL’s proposed “return to play” plan, weighing the pros and cons of each detail. After listing to this show, be sure to chime in and let us know what you think of the NHL’s return strategy. 

Show Notes and Links
Commissioner Gary Bettman outlines the NHL’s plan to return (YouTube)
Pat Foley rips Alexander Karpovtsev during hockey game (YouTube)
Sal’s article about the Russian Penguins (The Hockey News)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play MusicSpotifyiHeartRadioStitcherPodchaserPocketCastsCastbox , Castro,
OvercastTuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: May 20, 2020

The Controversy of Cards with Protective Film

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish discuss the controversial topic of hockey trading cards with protective film on them. From the mid-1990s until the early 2000s, card companies would put protective film on premium cards to protect them from getting scratched. Collectors were split into two camps on this: some removed the film from the cards, while others believed that doing so would actually reduce the value of the cards on the secondary market. Sal and Tim also talk about the new hockey card releases this week, the potential return of the NHL — and Nordiques jerseys!

Show Notes and Links:
NHL considering 8-9 sites for season restart (NHL.com)
Avalanche may wear Nordiques jerseys next season (NHL.com)
NHL players who wore number 66 (Hockey-Reference.com)
President’s Choice Trading Cards “Equipped” cards (PCTC website)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments cards for Week 32 (UD website)
And since we brought up 1980-81 Topps Hockey cards, here is a review of that set (Puck Junk)

Images of cards with protective film still on them:

1994-95 Topps Finest #34 – Chris Chelios

1994-95 Donruss – Masked Marvels inserts #1 – Ed Belfour

1995-96 Topps Finest #121 – Chris Chelios
Notice the discoloration (“greening”) on his face

1996-97 Select Certified #27 – Chris Chelios

1996-97 Leaf Preferred – Steel Inserts #7 – Chris Chelios

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle Play MusicSpotifyiHeartRadioStitcherPodchaserPocketCastsCastbox , Castro,
OvercastTuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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