Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
There seems to be a plan in the works for the NHL to return! It’s going to be weird and a lot of people aren’t going to like it, but hockey could be back soon. I’ll give my thoughts on the proposed plan as well as a few other notable hockey announcements from the past week. I’ll also deliver some takes that are strictly derived from being bored on Twitter. Let me know what you think!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: My Thoughts on the NHL’s Proposed Plan of Return”
In this episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish reminisce about 1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay Hockey, which was a modern day “tall boys” card set that didn’t go over with collectors too well. They also talk about the American Hockey League cancelling the rest of its season, and Brendan Leipsic getting waived by the Capitals after making misogynistic comments on Instagram. It’s 92 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes and Links:
The Guy Lafleur Disco Album (Puck Junk)
AHL cancels the rest of its season (AHL website)
Article about the NHL’s potential plans to restart the season (ESPN)
Capitals waive Leipsic after misogynistic comments made public (CBC)
National Sports Collectors Convention rescheduled (website)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments cards for Week 31 (website)
Upper Deck E-Pack (website)
Every 1993-94 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
We also reflected on collecting hockey in 1993-94 in Podcast #41
Some images of 1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay cards
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #116 – Wayne Gretzky
Card backs had a large picture and up to 10 years of stats.
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #54 – Jeremy Roenick
JR was the spokesman for Fleer Trading Cards.
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #1 – Stu Grimson
Yep, Stu was card #1 in this set.
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #88 – Doug Barrault
Barrault actually played for the Chicago Wolves from 1995-96 to 1997-98.
(I erroneously said that he played with the team in 1994-95.)
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #50 – Dirk Graham
I *love* the photo on this card!
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #426 – Jocelyn Thibault
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #416 – Bryan Trottier
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #147 – Ron Hextall (and yes, the team name is there, right above his name. I couldn’t see it until I scanned the card.)
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #459 – Neil Eisenhut (Rookie Card)
This was his only NHL card.
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #354 – Chris Pronger
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay #508 – Peter Laviolette (Rookie Card)
1993-94 Fleer PowerPlay Series 1 wrapper
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music: “Power Play” from the album Lafleur!
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
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Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■
I’m glad I pushed my column back a day because a lot happened yesterday. Most notably, the AHL canceled the remainder of their season. I’ll give my take on it and give a few special shoutouts to AHL players. Also, a few reports published yesterday raised some eyebrows in the NHL community.
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: AHL Cancels Remainder of its Season”
Last week was a busy one for the NHL. It was the first week in more than a month where I had backup takes (more on those next week). This week, I’ll touch on the interesting dynamic between AHL and NHL teams. Also, the Blackhawks made a huge move in their front office which warrants a look. Plenty more, too. Stay safe everyone!
After a two-ish week hiatus, the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast is back! This time, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the new affiliation agreement between the Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves — which leaves the Charlotte Checkers in limbo. They also discuss the new Pro Visions insert cards found in 2019-20 Upper Deck Credentials Hockey and the difficulties of packing and moving a card collection to a new home.
Show Notes and Links:
The Chicago Wolfpack: Official Wolves Booster Club website
Charlotte Checkers’ statement on its NHL affiliation (Checkers website)
Spring Sport Card Expo website
May Chicago Sports Spectacular website
National Sports Collectors Convention statement on 2020 show.
The 2020 Chicago Blackhawks Convention is Cancelled (Blackhawks)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments for Week 30 (Upper Deck Blog)
2019-20 Credentials “Pro Visions” insert cards (Beckett)
2019-20 Upper Deck Credentials commercial (video)
Opening chase scene from Beverly Hills Cop (YouTube)
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.
Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■
I hope everyone is staying safe and social distancing. The NHL has been kind, giving me enough topics to write about. Last week was packed with hockey news with signings, interviews, and injury updates. So, sit back and relax as I cover two interesting extensions in Columbus, potential Olympic rosters, and a lot more!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Canada’s B Team and Blue Jacket Extensions”
For what was another slow week in hockey, I have a solid variety of takes. We can thank St. Louis Blues’ GM Doug Armstrong for staying busy. I’ll share my thoughts on his variety of moves and an update from the NHL regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. I’ll also take a look into a surprise retirement and a contract termination.
Stay safe everyone!
I hope you’re all healthy and safe during this quarantine season. It was a busy week for me as I celebrated my 25th birthday last Monday. To stay busy, I’ve been exclusively watching full movie series in my spare time. I’ve watched all five films in the Jason Bourne series. I’ve also watched all three Star Wars trilogies. Yes, all three TRILOGIES, and Solo, which was surprisingly much better than I expected it to be.
In hockey news, it was a sad week. Over the weekend, we lost Edmonton Oilers player Colby Cave, who was 25-years-old. Obviously, nothing else comes close to the importance of the loss of Cave. However, discussions have taken place on how to move forward with the season after quarantine ends. More on that below.
Lastly, Happy Easter and happy Passover to all my monotheistic homies. Here’s a song I recommend you turn up to if you’re celebrating either, or just want to jam.
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: The NHL Brainstorms Ways to Continue the Season”
In the latest — and dare we say greatest? — episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish look back at the “ugly baby” known as the 1992-93 Topps Hockey card set. They also discuss all the latest hockey happenings (or lack thereof) going on over the past week. Spoiler alert: they get off topic for a bit and talk about The Love Guru. You have been warned. This week’s show clocks in at 1 hour 49 minutes.
Show Notes, Links and Additional Images:
Puck Junk Podcast about NBC firing Jeremy Roenick (Puck Junk)
The National Sports Collectors Convention statement on COVID-19 (NSCC)
2019-20 Upper Deck Game Dated Moments Week 26 cards (Upper Deck)
1992-93 Topps Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Every 1992-93 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
Tim Parish’s blog (The Real DFG)
1992-93 Topps Hockey card images:
#1 – Wayne Gretzky, first card in the set
#529 – Eric Lindros, last card in the set
#166 – Mike McNeil, taking a sip
#318 – Dino Ciccarelli, scrumming it up
#318 – Dino Cicarelli, card back
#318 – Dino Ciccarelli, Gold Parallel
#318 – Dino Ciccarelli, Gold Parallel back
#414 – Denis Savard, just standing around
#406 – Gaetan Duchesne, sitting somewhere
#364 – Dan Lambert, wearing glasses
#501 – Bryan Marchment, wearing a half-cage
#522 – Frank Pietrangelo, in a deep crouch
#9 – Nicklas Lidstrom Super Rookie
#265 – Mario Lemieux All-Star
#67 – Jim Thomson (RC). He later appeared in the 2009 film The Love Guru
1992-93 Topps Hockey sell sheet (via Trading Card DB):
1992-93 Topps Hockey Poster:
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.
Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■
Although it was a quiet week in the NHL, most of my takes this week are not COVID-19 related. We could all use some positive news. On that note, today is my 25th birthday, so please include your birthday wishes in the comments. Stay safe everyone!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Player Polls & Trick Shots”