Clemente’s Corner: Alex Ovechkin’s Record-Breaking Goal Fuels Demand for His Memorabilia

Alex Ovechkin’s historic achievement of becoming the NHL’s all-time leading scorer has not only captured the attention of hockey fans around the world – but also sparked a surge of interest in his memorabilia and collectibles. 

Since surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding record of 894 goals on April 6, Ovechkin’s impact on the market for sports memorabilia has been nothing short of remarkable, with fans, collectors — and, yes, investors — alike all very eager to get their hands on a piece of hockey history.

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Puck Junk Podcast: 2024-25 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

Episode #215: April 4, 2025

In Episode #215 of the Puck Junk Podcast, the guys talk about the new 2024-25 O-Pee-Chee Hockey card set. Plus: National Hockey Card Day 2025, 2024-25 Emanate Under Wraps Hockey, and John Tortorella gets fired again. It’s 92 minutes of hockey goodness – now with chapters so you can skip to your favorite parts. 

Links
Tortorella Fired by Flyers (NHL.com)
Book Review: A Guy Like Me by John Scott (Puck Junk)
Video: John Tortorella in a Fight in the Flames Hallway (YouTube)
National Hockey Card Day Website (Upper Deck)
National Hockey Card Day Trade Group (Facebook)
Review: 1998-99 Panini Photocards (Puck Junk)
Emanate Hockey Listing on GameStop Website (GameStop.com)
2024-25 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)

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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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Will Tariffs Affect the Price of Hockey Cards?

And You Thought Cards Already Cost Too Much

Recently, a Puck Junk Podcast listener asked me if the “Trade War” tariffs that are being imposed on goods imported into the United States and in Canada will affect the price of hockey cards.

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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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Puck Junk Podcast: How Will Tariffs Affect Hockey Card Prices?

Episode #214: March 22, 2025

How will tariffs in the U.S.-Canada Trade War affect the prices of hockey cards at retail stores or online sales? That’s the big topic in this week’s episode of the Puck Junk Podcast. Other topics include a Wayne Gretzky game-used stick used to break a record that is up for auction, the PWHL players getting overwhelmed by autograph requests, and the recent Chicago Sports Spectacular. Plus, listeners’ comments. It’s 90 minutes of hockey goodness – now with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite parts. 

Links
Wayne Gretzky Record-Breaking Hockey Stick Auction (Yahoo! Sports)
Tariffs Expected to Drive Up Hockey Card Prices (Sports Collectors Daily)

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Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
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Puck Junk Podcast: 2024-25 Synergy Hockey Cards

Episode #213: March 8, 2025

In this episode, the guys give their review of the 2024-25 Synergy Hockey set – which could be the last-ever Synergy set. Other topics include Sidney Crosby’s recent milestones, the passing of longtime Penguins announcer Mike Lange, Seth Jones’ trade to Florida, the recent Stadium Series, Shoresy Season 4, and the upcoming Chicago Sports Spectacular. Plus, would a 24-hour long card show be possible? It’s 90 minutes of hockey goodness – now with chapters, so you can skip ahead to your favorite parts. 

Links
2024-25 Synergy Box Break & Images (Puck Junk)
2024-25 Synergy Checklist (TCDB)

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple PodcastsYouTube PodcastsAmazon MusicCastboxDeezeriHeartRadioOvercast,  
PlayerFMPocketCastsPodcast AddictPodchaserSpotifyStitcher,
or Transistor.

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Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel

Support 
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2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #5

After opening four boxes of 2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers, I was down to needing 71 stickers to complete the 800-sticker set. And yet these Topps sticker sets are notoriously difficult to build, so I knew that would probably be impossible. But I figured having more doubles on hand to trade could only help. Plus, there are those parallels. My fourth box had a Red Foil Parallel. Would this box also have a Red Foil Parallel? It could happen, as they are found one in every five boxes, or about three per 16-box case. Or could this box have two Blue Foil Parallels of players that I collect, or even – dare to dream – a Gold Foil Parallel?

That said, let’s see what my fifth and final box of 2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers had inside. 

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2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #4

Since this year’s Topps Hockey Sticker Collection consists of 800 stickers, you would need to purchase four 50-pack boxes (or at least 160 packs) to get enough stickers to try to build a set. I don’t like buying single packs because they cost $1 each, whereas a 50-pack box can usually be found for $35 or $40 if you look hard enough. Heck, even paying $50 for a box is OK because you know you will get the two parallels inside.

Over the past few days, I’ve opened three boxes of 2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers (see the first, second, and third breaks before reading this). I’m down to needing 122 stickers to finish my set. Let’s see how I did with my fourth box. 

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2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #3

I love opening packs of stickers – and hate sorting them. But writing these blog posts about what I get in my boxes of 2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers has motivated me to sort these in a hurry so I can write about them. Plus, it’s more fun to complete a set while the season is still going on, instead of over the summer or even years later, like I’ve done with other sets. Heck, it took me 17 years to complete my 1990-91 Panini Hockey Sticker set. 

Anyway, a box of 2024-25 Topps Hockey Stickers has 50 packs. Each pack has 4 regular (paper) stickers and one shiny foil sticker. Let’s see what was inside my third box of this year’s Topps NHL stickers. 

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