Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
Twenty-five years ago today, Canada won the 1991 Canada Cup Tournament when they beat the United States. It would be the last Canada Cup, as the tournament would be renamed the World Cup of Hockey in 1996. A few months after the 1991 Canada Cup, Upper Deck released its 1991-92 hockey card set, which included a … Continue reading “A Look Back at the 1991 Canada Cup”
John Scott’s selection to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game is not without precedent. Having a guy known more for punching than puckhandling play in the NHL All-Star Game, while rare, has happened on several occasions. Then there is the curious case of Chris Nilan, whose near-appearance in the 1991 All-Star Game was, until now, the most controversial selection … Continue reading “A History of Enforcers in All-Star Games”
Former enforcer Chris Nilan almost played in the 1991 All-Star Game. His controversial selection changed how All-Star rosters are picked. Back in the day, the coaches of each All-Star team would select the reserve players. Fans still voted for the starters, but it was up to the coach to choose the rest of the team. … Continue reading “Chris Nilan Was Almost an All-Star”
Odd, oversized cards of NHL superstars Not much is known about these two hockey cards. The backs are blank, and there is no copyright date on them. The cards measure 4″ x 6″ and feature former NHL superstars Mark Messier and Pat Lafontaine. Each is in an All-Star Game uniform, and at the bottom it … Continue reading “Review: 1991 Louisville Hockey Stick Cards”
First Parkies set in over 25 years a mediocre offering in crowded 90’s market The 1991-92 Parkhurst Hockey set was manufactured by now-defunct trading card company Pro Set, who was the first company to lease the Parkhurst name. Parkhurst made hockey cards from 1951 until 1964. Pro Set’s big idea was to use the name … Continue reading “Review: 1991-92 Parkhurst Hockey”
The Chicago Blackhawks lost a cherished member of their alumni on Tuesday when Stan Mikita died at age 78. Mikita played 22 seasons in the NHL, all with the ‘Hawks, and was the team’s all-time leading scorer. He helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1961 and won numerous individual awards. With the exception of … Continue reading “Goodbye and Thank You, Stan Mikita”
With the All-Star game and my collection of 1991 All-Star memorabilia taking up the majority of this blog’s focus, my box breaks have been put on the backburner. Time off from work due to the Chicago Snowpocalypse has changed that. On to my next box of 2010-11 Donruss Hockey.
Overlooked set has many good rookie cards Like the previous year, this season’s O-Pee-Chee set contained 264 cards. The first 198 cards were identical to the 1987-88 Topps Hockey set – both Topps and O-Pee-Chee use the same photographs. Cards of players traded in the off-season differ slightly in this set. Players who got traded … Continue reading “Review: 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Hockey”
It’s March! That means a great many things. There’s the start of March Madness, followed by spring. For hockey fans, it is the end of an anxious time following the NHL trade deadline. It’s also the month where many celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, there’s a hockey connection. The name Patrick and hockey … Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: 5 “Patricks” You Should Start Collecting in March”
Plus: The 2023 NHL All-Star Game Episode #142: February 10, 2023 In this supersized episode of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal and Tim talk about the career of the late Bobby Hull, including his numerous awards and accomplishments, plus some of his best hockey cards. The guys also discuss the 2023 NHL All-Star Game and … Continue reading “Puck Junk Podcast: Remembering Bobby Hull”
