Culture

Clemente’s Corner: The Sharks, Rollerblades and a Time Machine to the ‘90s

We collectors do love nostalgia. It’s a way to connect our memories about legendary teams, players and games to the present using small pieces of cardboard. It’s a wonderful pursuit and the reason why so many of us have binders full of cards on our shelves and in our closets from the 1980s and ‘90s.

Another way to connect with the past is through books. One book that will take hockey fans back to that analog time is Brad Porteus’s “Roll With It.” It’s a heartfelt and humorous memoir that delivers exactly what its subtitle promises: “A trip back to the ‘90s – Gen X style.”

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Gretzky Gloves and Sittler Sweater Up for Bid

Two Pieces of NHL History are for Sale

Wayne Gretzky gloves & Darryl Sittler jersey

Two historic pieces of game-used memorabilia are currently up for bid at Grey Flannel Auctions. Either of these pieces would make a fantastic centerpiece of a game-used hockey collection.

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A Look at the Culture of a Boston University Hockey Game

It is well known that college football is almost like a religion in the southern United States and in Texas. In the Midwest and the Carolinas, college basketball has a larger than life following, and in Southern California, college baseball has a large following. However, In the Northeast United States, hockey the big man on campus.

Today, we will look inside Agganis Arena to experience the atmosphere, traditions and customs of a Boston University Terriers hockey game.

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Clemente’s Corner: The 3 Best and 3 Worst NHL Jerseys from the 1990s

1995-96 Leaf Limited #1 - Mario Lemieux

NHL jerseys hold significant value both for teams and collectors alike, offering fans a unique opportunity to express their allegiance in fresh ways.

During the 1990s, several NHL teams experimented with “third jerseys” that would be worn on special occasions, while other teams completely changed its logo, its color scheme – or both. Quite a few new designs made their debut on the ice that decade – and not all of them were memorable in a good way. 

For collectors, these jerseys are highly coveted because of their rarity and limited availability. This exclusivity adds to their allure and potential value.

At the same time, alternate jerseys also serve as a bridge between nostalgia and modernity, allowing collectors to own a piece of both the present and the past. Whether it’s a throwback to a classic design or a cutting-edge reimagining, these sweaters capture a snapshot of a team’s identity at a specific time in NHL history.

With that, let’s start with the best …

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Tim’s Take: Shoresy, the Modern-Day Slap Shot

I’m admittedly late to the Letterkenny party as for quite a while; it wasn’t available on any of the services that I had. Once I was finally able to watch, I clearly saw what all the hype was about. But as much as I enjoyed that series, I have enjoyed it’s spinoff series even more. If you are a hockey fan, hockey player, grew up around the rinks, or just like really well put together shows, you may want to give Shoresy a look.

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Despite Issues, Connor Bedard Game-Used Jersey Fetches $37K

When Exactly Was It Worn? And Why Frame It?

By Sean Sullivan

Connor Bedard mania has run wild throughout the hockey-collecting community this season, and on April 18, the game-worn jersey collecting segment joined in on the fun – but not without some controversy. Continue reading “Despite Issues, Connor Bedard Game-Used Jersey Fetches $37K”

Book Review – Conflicted Scars: An Average Player’s Journey to the NHL

It seems like every NHL player who has some degree of success writes a book when their career comes to an end. But what about the thousands of players who don’t make it to the NHL?  What sacrifices did they make  — and what scars did they pick up — along the way to ultimately fall short of reaching their dreams? In “Conflicted Scars: An Average Player’s Journey to the NHL”, ex-NHL draft pick Justin Davis talks about the hazing by teammates, horrid living conditions, and health risks he endured while playing major junior in the Ontario Hockey League. The physical scars may quickly heal, but emotional scars sometimes take decades to even be discovered before the healing can begin. 

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Book Review – 1972: The Series That Changed Hockey Forever

Fifty years ago was the 1972 Summit Series, where the best NHL players from Canada faced off in an eight-game exhibition series against the top hockey players from the Soviet Union. But, as it turned out, this was no mere exhibition series. In the book “1972: The Series That Changed Hockey Forever,” author Scott Morrison gives a comprehensive, almost exhaustive history of the Summit Series. Many books have been written on this subject, but “1972” might be the best.

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