Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
The Chicago Blackhawks traded winger Jeremy Morin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Tim Erixon on Sunday. But this was more than a simple player swap; it was the symbolic end to the Dustin Byfuglien trade from four years ago. At this point, it is safe to say that trading Byfuglien was a bust for the Blackhawks. Continue reading “With Morin gone, Byfuglien trade officially a bust for the Blackhawks”
As much as I like odd pre-production items like promo cards, proof photos and so forth, I’ve steered clear of printing plates. This is because they tend to be expensive. And really, who wants to spend money on a card that only shows only one-fourth of the image; either the cyan, yellow, magenta or black areas that makes up the photograph. But then I saw this card on eBay — a 2014-15 Upper Deck Series One Yellow Printing Plate of Nashville Predators goalie Carter Hutton — and had a conundrum. I collect all of Hutton’s cards. Do I go after this one too? Or do I let it slide by me, since it isn’t really a card? Continue reading “Carter Hutton Yellow Printing Plate”
Former trading card company Action Packed had big plans to make hockey collectibles for the 1994-95 season. But those plans never unfolded. One odd set that was promoted in 1994 but never released was Big Picture, a series of 84 card-sized collectibles that unfolded to reveal a poster. Continue reading “1994-95 Action Packed Big Picture Collectible Promo Posters”
I finally got around to opening my third (and final) box of 2014-15 Upper Deck Series One Hockey. This was singularly both the best and worst box of the three. But…how is that even possible? Continue reading “2014-15 Upper Deck Series 1 box break #3”
Daniel Alfredsson officially retired yesterday after participating in a pregame skate with the Ottawa Senators, then giving his retirement speech. He spent 18 seasons in the NHL. Alfredsson won rookie if the year honors in 1996, played in the All-Star Game six times, and was a point-per-game player for most of his career. Most of these accomplishments were during the “dead puck era,” where NHL scoring steadily declined. Here’s a look back at Alfredsson’s career — with the help of a few trading cards. Continue reading “Career in Cards: Daniel Alfredsson”
Another day, another box break of 2014-15 Upper Deck Series One. A box has 24 packs, and each pack has eight cards. Continue reading “2014-15 Upper Deck Series 1 box break #2”
Martin Brodeur signed a contract with the St. Louis Blues yesterday. No doubt, cards of Brodeur as a Blues player will be included in upcoming sets like Upper Deck Series Two.
But why wait for that? Why even wait for an official photo of Marty donning the Blue note? Thirty years ago, card companies didn’t wait; they took matters into their own hands — and so did I.
Want a card of Brodeur with the Blues? Well, I made four. Continue reading “Cards of Martin Brodeur in his new jersey”
Upper Deck Hockey is the one set I’ve looked forward to each year for the past 25 years. It’s a great mix of high-quality production values, a decent-sized base set (when counting Series 1 and 2), plus all the rookies that matter. So, of course when this year’s set came out, you know I had to buy a box or three. There’s nothing more relaxing than watching a hockey game while opening up some cards. And that’s just what I did. Continue reading “2014-15 Upper Deck Series 1 box break #1”
Dish Network and Comcast are in a staring contest, waiting for the other to blink first. Next week, Dish’s contract with four regional Comcast sports networks — CSN Chicago, CSN Mid-Atlantic, CSN Bay Area and CSN California — will expire. If a renewal is not worked out soon, Dish subscribers in Chicago, Washington and San Jose are going to miss a whole lot of hockey. Continue reading “Dish Network subscribers could lose Blackhawks, Capitals, Sharks games”
I like this photo of Phil Esposito. His hair is a mess, his face contemplative. It’s a great portrait of the Hall of Fame center. You can see the captain’s “C,” the double 7s — the reason Wayne Gretzky decided it was OK to wear double 9s — and the Rangers shield logo. The O-Pee-Chee card company must have liked it too, because they used it again, even when they probably shouldn’t have. Continue reading “Deja Vu Tuesday: Phil Esposito”