News & Views

1963-64 Parkhurst #28 – Jean Gauthier

I’ve finally added a Montreal Canadiens player to my upstart 1963-64 Parkhurst set-in-progress. I purchased this card at the same time I purchased the Pete Goegan card. It has a few medium creases on the front, as well as some dirt (above his head, to the right).

But like the Goegan card, this Gauthier card cost me the princely sum of $3.24, including shipping (the dealer only charged me $2.50 to ship the two cards, then mailed them in a plain, stamped envelope).

Maybe when I’m rich, famous, or rich AND famous I’ll be able to afford a near-mint version of this card. Until then, I’ll just have to settle for this war-torn veteran.

And yes, for those keeping score at home, this is the 6th card in the set I started a year ago. Only 93 more cards to go.

2009 Blackhawks Convention – Day Three

Chicago,IL
July 19, 2009

Shellie and I arrived at the convention around 8:30 am. I headed off to the VIP signing session that I had won, while Shellie went to wait in line for Murray Bannerman.

At 9 am sharp, we finally learned who will be signing for us–Stan Mikita! While I did get his autograph last year, I don’t mind getting it again this year. Mikita nicely signed this 8″ by 10″ photograph.


Look familiar? The same photo was used on a 1990-91 Pro Set card. Continue reading “2009 Blackhawks Convention – Day Three”

2009 Blackhawks Convention – Day One

Chicago, IL
July 17, 2009

July 17 to 19 was the Second Annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention. Sure, it’s the middle of July, but for 10,000 of us, all we thought about for the next three days was hockey.

As is my luck, Shellie and I were running a bit late, as we got there just before 5 pm. We could not get into the Grand Ballroom because to see the “Opening Ceremonies”, where they introduce the players who are attending the Con. Continue reading “2009 Blackhawks Convention – Day One”

1963-64 Parkhurst #43 – Pete Goegan

Another card for my fledgling 1963-64 Parkhurst set. Admittedly, I am a bit disappointed in its condition. In the eBay auction, it looked OK, but once I received it I see it has a lot of creases, even more than the Gordie Howe card that I bought last year. Most likely, I did not scrutinize the photo in the eBay auction as good as I could have. No matter, as I paid a grand total of $3.24 for this card, including shipping. Yes, it is not the greatest-looking card in the world, but I am a collector on a budget. Not to sound defensive, or anything.

And this makes 5 cards out of 99.

Whole Lotta Hossa

Dale Tallon must be out of his mind.

Yes, the Blackhawks General Manager did “manage” to sign this summer’s hottest free agent, Marian Hossa.

The problem is, he signed Hossa for twelve years. Twelve years. Let’s think about this for a minute, shall we? In 12 years, it will be the year 2021–which sounds like the title of a Rush album or an Arthur C. Clarke novel–and Hossa will be 42. Continue reading “Whole Lotta Hossa”

Thanks Brandon!

A belated “Thanks!” to Brandon Wagner for sending me some hockey cards. Brandon maintains a blog aptly named Cardboard Hockey, ETC., and usually posts about packs of hockey cards he’s opened recently.

Not only did he hook me up with a bunch of 2008-09 Artifacts cards I needed for my set, he also threw in some cool miscellaneous cards, including two packs of 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee and this 2008-09 Collector’s Choice Jonathan Toews card.

OK, Toews isn’t really miscellaneous. He’s the team captain of the Blackhawks, and was a starter in the All-Star game this year. This card shows him in the ‘Hawks second game from the 2008-09 season, against the Washington Capitals.

As for those 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee packs…maybe I’ll open them up and see if the gum still tastes as good as it did 18 years ago.

1963-64 Parkhurst #56 – Billy McNeill

It’s been a while since I purchased a 1963-64 Parkhurst Hockey card. The same day the Penguins won the cup, I got this in the mail. It is a card of former Red Wing Billy McNeill.

The card is in decent shape, with the typical discoloration and rounding of the corners. With shipping, it cost me $4.50.

I now have 3 cards, and need 96 more. Slow and steady wins the race…

Thanks, Greg


Thanks goes out to fellow sports card blogger Greg Armentrout, who sent me a bunch of cards featuring Michigan State Spartan hockey players – and a few coaches too – including this card you see here of current NHL player Rod Brind’Amour.

As you know, I love cards that show players before they made it to the pros, from the junior leagues to the minor leagues. You don’t often see too many college hockey cards, either, so these are very much appreciated. The Michigan State set has cards of a few guys who made it to the pros, including Joe Murphy, Bob Essensa, Kelly Miller and Kip Miller.