Clemente’s Corner: Celebrini The Real Teal In Sharks Rebuild Year

“Do You Know the Way to San Jose” remains a popular song. It’s catchy. It has a good beat. I has endured the test of time. First released in 1968 by singer Dionne Warwick, it also remains an homage to the California city. 

Fast forward 56 years and Macklin Celebrini did find his way to San Jose. The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Celebrini is also hoping to endure the test of time by having a very strong first pro season. 

Like the song, the 18-year-old center in a Sharks uniform also marks a homecoming of sorts. In fact, the Vancouver native is no stranger to San Jose. As a child, he moved to California and played for the San Jose Junior Sharks AAA team. As a member of the U14 team, Celebrini featured in 54 games and amassed an astonishing 49 goals and 45 assists for 94 points.

In addition, Celebrini – nicknamed “The Cheetah” because of his speed – has added hype to card collecting this season. All No. 1 picks typically do. How he will do in the coming weeks and months will have a huge impact on his rookie card values. For starters, he had a goal and an assist in his first game at SAP Center, a 4-2 preseason loss on Sept. 22 to the Vegas Golden Knights.

In the hopes that Celebrini will be a favorite among collectors, Upper Deck signed Celebrini to an exclusive autograph deal back in July.

“We’re committed to bringing fans even closer to their favorite NHL players, and the addition of Celebrini reflects our dedication to showcasing both seasoned legends and emerging stars,” said Upper Deck President Jason Masherah. “We’re proud to represent him at such an exciting time in his career and look forward to capturing his success on the ice once he makes his NHL debut.”

I caught up with Celebrini at last month’s NHLPA Rookie Showcase, organized in conjunction with Upper Deck, in Arlington, Va. During his appearance there, Celebrini took the time to discuss the upcoming NHL season, playing alongside a former rival and his favorite hockey card ever.  

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Celebrini The Real Teal In Sharks Rebuild Year”

Puck Junk Podcast: 2023-24 Credentials Hockey Cards

Plus: Our All-Time Favorite Young Guns
Episode #201: September 28, 2024

Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about the 2023-24 Credentials Hockey card set, which boasts a 1990s aesthetic and has some great inserts. But will collectors love – or overlook – this late-season release? Plus, the guys talk about their favorite Young Guns rookie cards of all-time, the new Fanatics’ NHL jerseys, and more. It’s 95 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes and Links
2023-25 Credentials Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Dallas Sports Card Show Chicago (Dallas Card Show Website)

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Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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Puck Junk Podcast: 2024-25 MVP Hockey Cards

Episode #200: September 21, 2024

In the 200th Episode of the Puck Junk Podcast, the guys talk all about the new 2024-25 MVP hockey card set. Is it a set worth collecting? Plus, a look at the 2022-23 The Cup hockey set, Sidney Crosby re-signing with the Penguins, a potential leak of the Utah Hockey Club’s new name, and Sal’s latest collecting obsession. It’s 99 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes and Links
2024-25 MVP Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: The 2024 NHLPA Rookie Showcase

Plus: Our Take on the PWHL Logos
Episode #199: September 14, 2024

In this episode, Clemente Lisi talks with Sal Barry about his coverage at the 2024 NHLPA Rookie Showcase, an annual event where Upper Deck photographs the NHL’s newest rookies and gets them to sign autographs for upcoming products. The guys also give their take on the new PWHL logos for its “Inaugural Six” teams, an upcoming book by former NHL coach Mike Keenan, and the cancellation of Fanatics Fest Pittsburgh. It’s 66 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes and Links
“Iron Mike: My Life Behind the Bench” by Mike Keenan (Amazon)
PWHL Unveils Team Names & Logos (PWHL Website)
Upper Deck Hosts NHLPA Rookie Showcase (Sports Collectors Digest)
Clemente’s Corner: Josh Doan Takes Father-Son Legacy to Utah (Puck Junk)
An Interview with Hockey Card Photo Editor Austin Castillo (Puck Junk)

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

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

2023-24 Upper Deck AHL Hockey Cards Box Break

Many collectors overlook minor league hockey cards – and that is a shame, because the 2023-24 AHL hockey card set by Upper Deck is definitely worth a look. It is a great mix of up-and-coming NHL prospects along with longtime AHL stars. The set consists of 100 base cards plus 50 short printed “Star Rookies,” and has a fabulous, old-school design. 

The 2023-24 Upper Deck AHL set was released mid-July, well after the ’23-24 season had ended – and that is a good thing, as the later release date allowed Upper Deck to get up-to-date photos of players with their current teams. No outdated photos here. 

Another great feature of the 2023-24 Upper Deck AHL set is its retro-esque design Cards are printed on low-gloss stock much like today’s O-Pee-Chee cards. Anyone who collected hockey cards back in the 1980s, the 1990s, or even the 2000s would love the look of this set. 

A box of 2023-24 Upper Deck AHL costs about $60 for a 12-pack box. Each box has 10 cards, with an average of one autographed card and two numbered parallels per box. 

I recently opened a box of 2023-24 AHL. Let’s take a look at what was inside.  

Continue reading “2023-24 Upper Deck AHL Hockey Cards Box Break”

Clemente’s Corner: Josh Doan Takes Father-Son Legacy to Utah

Josh Doan

If the name Josh Doan sounds familiar it’s because you may remember his father, Shane.

The elder Doan spent his entire 21-year NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes franchise, beginning with the original Winnipeg Jets in 1995 before playing in Phoenix for two decades. He was the last remaining player active in the NHL from the original Jets before he announced his retirement in 2017.

Last season, his son Josh made his debut for Arizona. But his Coyotes career only lasted 11 games. The franchise relocated to Salt Lake City over the summer, where they will be known as the Utah Hockey Club this coming season.

Doan got the chance to put on the new Utah jersey for the very first time this Wednesday when he attended the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Arlington, Va. The annual event – held in cooperation with Upper Deck – allows the card company to take photos and collect autographs of the 35 rookies in attendance to be used in future releases.

Doan, sporting the new Utah jersey for the very first time, talked about the coming season, what it’s like to be on a new team and what cards he liked to collect as a child. 

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Josh Doan Takes Father-Son Legacy to Utah”

Puck Junk Podcast: 2023-24 Allure Hockey Cards

Episode #198: August 30, 2024

This week, Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about the 2023-24 Allure Hockey Card set, which looks great has a ton of inserts and oh, so many parallels. The guys also discuss the “Happy Gilmour” jersey that sold for $40K, and even talk a bit of baseball history. No joke! It’s 88 minutes of hobby goodness! 

Show Notes and Links
Babe Ruth ‘Called Shot’ Jesey sells for $24.1M (Sports Collectors Digest)
“Happy Gilmore” Bruins Jersey Nets $40K (Propstore Auction)
Sal’s tweet about the Connor Bedard Allure card (X/Twitter)
Sal’s second tweet about the Connor Bedard Allure card (X/Twitter)

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

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

Interlocking Card Frames Make a Great Wall Display

You put a lot of time, passion, and money into your collection. So, it is only natural that you would want to display your best cards – either graded or ungraded – on your wall. BCW Interlocking Card Frames are a great way to display your cardboard treasures for the world to see. They are versatile, easy to hang, fit together nicely, and add a touch of class to your display. Read the rest of the story at the BCW Supplies Blog.

The 2024-25 Collecting Season Starts Today

Launch of MVP Signals Start of New Collecting Year

Happy New Collecting Year!

Today, Upper Deck released its 2024-25 MVP Hockey card set. In recent history, MVP is always the first hockey set released for the season – meaning that the 2024-25 hockey collecting season has officially begun.

Like previous years’ MVP sets, the 2024-25 MVP Hockey set consists of 200 base cards and 50 short prints. The 50 short prints are either of rookies who made their debuts late during the previous season – a.k.a. “Leftover Rookies,” as I like to call them – or of star NHL players.

Of course, there are parallels and inserts galore, as well as the chance of pulling a redemption card that can be exchanged for a “Number One Draft Pick” card of Sharks’ rookie Macklin Celebrini.

With the start of hockey season still over six weeks away, it does seem a bit premature to release cards for the new season. I mean, some of us are still trying to complete several sets from the 2023-24 season.

Continue reading “The 2024-25 Collecting Season Starts Today”