Five Things to Know About the Toronto Sport Card Expo

Story and photos by Clemente Lisi

Sports card collectors have the annual National Sports Collectors Convention to look forward to at the end of every July. Hockey card collectors, on the other hand, got to enjoy the Toronto Sport Card and Memorabilia Expo during the first week of June.  

Sometimes referred to as the “Canadian National,” the Expo typically features tons of hockey cards and collectibles and sections of the showroom floor do sometimes feel like you’ve stumbled into a museum. The spring edition of the Expo that took place from June 2-5 was no different.

It was the first spring Expo held at The International Centre, located near Toronto’s Pearson Airport, since the pandemic forced stay-at-home orders and halted travel. The easing of COVID-19 restrictions, both in the U.S. and Canada, made for large crowds during the four-day show, which was moved from March.  

While the majority of people at the show hailed from all over Canada, a few out there, like me, made the trek across the border to Toronto. After four days in Toronto, I totally recommend taking such a trip in the future. For example, Toronto takes as much time for me to get to from New York City by plane (just two hours) as Atlantic City, site of the next National, is by car. It’s true that airfare costs more, but finding a deal is possible. 

For anyone considering attending the Toronto Sport Expo in the future, here are five things from this last show that you should know. 

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Snap Shots: The First Round is Finished

The last two weeks of playoff hockey have been awesome! There were five series that went to seven games, a few comebacks, and an upset. I give a quick recap of all eight Round 1 playoff series. Plus, Montreal wins the Draft Lottery and an AHL goalie scores a goal. 

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Snap Shots: Backup Goalies in the Spotlight

We are in the midst of the first round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. In this week’s Snap Shots column, we will look at some of the goalies who have been thrust into the spotlight due to injuries, the Kings making a comeback after getting clobbered in two straight games, and a scary incident where an off-ice official was hurt. Plus, Evander Kane’s career turnaround and the NHL Draft Lottery odds. 

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No Stanley for Old Men: 2022 Edition

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs started last night, and that got me thinking about which NHL veteran I would like to see win the Stanley Cup this year. Yes, Joe Thornton, who has played for 24 years now in the NHL, is my obvious choice for “greybeard” who I want to see win the Cup.  But there are many other worthy veteran NHLers that have toiled year-in and year-out and also deserve to sip champagne from hockey’s ultimate prize.

Here is a list of the oldest player from each playoff team who has yet to win the Stanley Cup, and why we should be rooting for each of them this spring. 

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Snap Shots: Regular Season Wrap-Up

I was pretty sick over the past seven days, so I didn’t get to publish Snap Shots for last week. Therefore, this week’s edition will take a look at the top 10 stories from past two weeks in the world of hockey. But don’t worry — this will be a quick read, I promise 🙂 

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Snap Shots: Mike Bossy Passes Away

This week was a mix of highs and lows for the world of hockey. Legend Mike Bossy passed away, the NHLPA released its internal investigation into its handling of Kyle Beach, and a longtime play-by-play announcer made his final call. But a first-overall pick also made an impressive debut and women’s hockey might take a giant step forward next year. It’s all recapped in this week’s edition of Snap Shots

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Snap Shots: Auston Matthews Sets Maple Leafs’ Goals Record

I was so busy last weekend that I didn’t get to write my Snap Shots column for last week. So, this week’s edition has more “shots,” covering the last two weeks of notable hockey stories. But don’t worry — each “shot” is shorter and this will be a quick read. Promise! 

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Snap Shots: No Trade for You!

Welcome to Snap Shots! This week, we look at a trade that was voided, another third jersey — would that make it a second third jersey or a fourth jersey — for the Maple Leafs, and a team that went from hero to zero in less than a year. 

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