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: 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 Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn 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 Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn 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 Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn 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 Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn 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: 1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay Hockey Setrospective

Episode #57: May 13, 2020

In this episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish reminisce about 1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay Hockey, which was a modern day “tall boys” card set that didn’t go over with collectors too well. They also talk about the American Hockey League cancelling the rest of its season, and Brendan Leipsic getting waived by the Capitals after making misogynistic comments on Instagram. It’s 92 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes and Links:
The Guy Lafleur Disco Album (Puck Junk)
AHL cancels the rest of its season (AHL website)
Article about the NHL’s potential plans to restart the season (ESPN)
Capitals waive Leipsic after misogynistic comments made public (CBC)
National Sports Collectors Convention rescheduled (website)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments cards for Week 31 (website)
Upper Deck E-Pack (website)
Every 1993-94 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
We also reflected on collecting hockey in 1993-94 in Podcast #41

Some images of 1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay cards

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #116 – Wayne Gretzky

Card backs had a large picture and up to 10 years of stats. 

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #54 – Jeremy Roenick
JR was the spokesman for Fleer Trading Cards.

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #1 – Stu Grimson
Yep, Stu was card #1 in this set. 

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #88 – Doug Barrault
Barrault actually played for the Chicago Wolves from 1995-96 to 1997-98.
(I erroneously said that he played with the team in 1994-95.)

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #50 – Dirk Graham
I *love* the photo on this card! 

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #426 – Jocelyn Thibault

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #416 – Bryan Trottier

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #147 – Ron Hextall (and yes, the team name is there, right above his name. I couldn’t see it until I scanned the card.)

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #459 – Neil Eisenhut (Rookie Card)
This was his only NHL card.

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #354 – Chris Pronger

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #508 –  Peter Laviolette (Rookie Card)

1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay Series 1 wrapper

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music: “Power Play” from the album Lafleur!

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Custom Card: 1978-79 Topps Bobby Orr

It’s the 50th anniversary of Bobby Orr’s most memorable goal —  the one where he’s flying through the air and celebrating after clinching a Stanley Cup victory — and that got me thinking. Bobby Orr, the greatest defenseman to ever play the great game of hockey, never had a decent hockey card when he played for the Chicago Black Hawks. All of his card from 1976-77 and 1977-78 use photos that have been crudely repainted, while his final card from 1978-79 used a photo of Orr in a Team Canada uniform. 

That always bothered me. So, I decided to give Orr a final card that is more fitting for a player of his magnitude.  Continue reading “Custom Card: 1978-79 Topps Bobby Orr”

Puck Junk Podcast: May 4, 2020

The Carolina Hurricanes & Chicago Wolves Affiliation 

After a two-ish week hiatus, the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast is back! This time, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the new affiliation agreement between the Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves — which leaves the Charlotte Checkers in limbo. They also discuss the new Pro Visions insert cards found in 2019-20 Upper Deck Credentials Hockey and the difficulties of packing and moving a card collection to a new home.

Show Notes and Links: 
The Chicago Wolfpack: Official Wolves Booster Club website
Charlotte Checkers’ statement on its NHL affiliation (Checkers website)
Spring Sport Card Expo website 
May Chicago Sports Spectacular website
National Sports Collectors Convention statement on 2020 show.
The 2020 Chicago Blackhawks Convention is Cancelled (Blackhawks)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments for Week 30 (Upper Deck Blog)
2019-20 Credentials “Pro Visions” insert cards (Beckett)
2019-20 Upper Deck Credentials commercial (video)
Opening chase scene from Beverly Hills Cop (YouTube)

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 Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn 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: April 17, 2020

1973-74 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

In today’s episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look back at the 1973-74 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card sets. They also get caught up in all the hockey happenings in the news. This episode is 1 hour and 35 minutes of pure hockey goodness!

Show Notes, Links and Images:
Video: Sal’s appearance on Pittsburgh Hockey Now (Puck Junk)
Jessica’s “Genuine Heroes” trading card (Twitter)
Kris Versteeg retires — again! (ESPN)
1973-74 Topps Hockey checklist (Trading Card DB)
1973-74 O-Pee-Chee checklist (Trading Card DB)
The story of Dale Tallon wearing #9 for the Blackhawks (Puck Junk)

Here’s Sidney Crosby with a dog:

1973-74 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card images: 

1973-74 Topps #162 – Billy Smith

1973-74 Topps #81 – Bill Barber

1973-74 Topps #149 – Dave Schultz (RC)

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #237Larry Robinson (RC)

1973-74 Topps #119 – Doug Favell 

1973-74 Topps #129 – Dale Tallon

1973-74 Topps #32 – Dan Maloney

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #3 – Phil Roberto

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #124 – Steve Durbano (RC)

1973-74 Topps #173 – Jean Ratelle

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #91 – Joe Watson

1973-74 Topps #31 – Wayne Stephenson

1973-74 Topps #85 – Dave Keon

1973-74 Topps #83 – Brian “Spinner” Spencer
(I accidentally called him “Dave” in the episode)

1973-74 Topps #10 – Ken Dryden

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #121 – Mike Robitaille

…and the cartoon on the back. (More about that story here.)

1973-74 Topps #100 – Montreal Canadiens

1973-74 Topps #182 – Derek Sanderson

1973-74 Topps #15 – Gary Unger 

1973-74 Topps Insert Stickers – Bruins logo / Penguins flag

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 Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

The Day I was Paid to Play Hockey

Back in 2018, I was paid $250 to play hockey. No, it wasn’t on a professional tryout contract with a minor league team, but rather for a television commercial. That said, they would recruit practically anyone who owned hockey gear — including me, a guy who had been playing for less than five years at the time.

Continue reading “The Day I was Paid to Play Hockey”

Video: Sal Barry Guest Appearance on Pittsburgh Hockey Now

I was a guest on Pittsburgh Hockey Now, discussing my article for The Hockey News about the Russian Penguins. For those who don’t know, the Russian Penguins were a joint venture between Russia’s Red Army hockey club and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins from 1993 to 1995. If that sounds like a crazy idea, well…it was. The Russian Penguins had everything from strippers to mobsters, as well as a few future NHL players, too. I also show off a few rare pieces of Penguins memorabilia. ■

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