Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
Happy Monday! This week, I want to take a look at a big story that made the rounds early last week, when a quick-thinking Seattle Kraken fan helped save a Vancouver Canucks’ assistant equipment manager’s life. We will also take a look at an awesome goal, a new “rookie” record that was set, and the potential end of a solid NHL career. Plus, COVID-19 continues to ruin hockey.
Continue reading “Snap Shots: Kraken Fan Saves Canucks’ Equipment Manager’s Life”
Welcome to a new weekly column called Snap Shots. Since Blake Isaacs has stepped away from writing his Blake’s Takes column, I will fill the void with my weekly recap of the biggest, most interesting, or most fun things that happened in hockey over the past week.
A lot of news this week has to do with how COVID-19 continues to mess up hockey for everyone. But not all of the news is bad. We also had the coldest Winter Classic in history (Brrrrr!) and four — count ’em, four — new goalies make their NHL debuts.
Happy New Year, loyal Puck Junk readers. Before we get into new content for 2022, I wanted to give a recap of Puck Junk’s most-read articles of 2021, and a brief update about what has been going on with this website.
As we all know, the trading card hobby has experienced a resurgence in interest over the past two years; much of it as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic making more people stay at home and spend their money on other activities besides sporting events, concerts, and travel.
As a result, Puck Junk has experienced it’s highest readership of all time. In fact, traffic on this site has grown 75% between 2020 and 2021. And as I’ve always said, it is more gratifying when more people read this site. I still remember how excited I was back in late 2007 when I finally had an article read by 10 people. Yes, just getting to double-digits was such an accomplishment back then. So, I am very grateful today that thousands of people read and enjoy what I write.
Likewise, listenership of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast has increased 35% between 2020 and 2021. Again, it is great to see more people engage with the podcast that myself and Tim — and many times Blake and Jim — work on. We don’t always get an episode up every week, but we try. Hopefully, we will increase our output of podcast episodes in 2022.
Anyway, below are the 10 articles published in 2021 that were read the most. So, take a look at this list and be sure to check out any articles that you missed the first time.
After almost four years of writing for Puck Junk, I’m officially announcing that I’ll be taking some time away. This will be my last column. It could be my last one forever. I’m not sure.
That doesn’t mean I’m not going to go out with a bang. In this week’s column, I’ll dig into one of my favorite fan moments, an intriguing contract extension, and a few other takes.
I’ll close with some thoughts about my last few years writing for Puck Junk. It’s been a ride. Let’s get down to it.
The boys are back with the latest Puck Junk Hockey Podcast! This time, Sal and Tim talk about Marc-Andre Fleury becoming only the third goalie in NHL history to win 500 regular season games. They also discuss how COVID-19 may affect the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. Plus, new hockey card releases for the 2021-22 season. It’s 107 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes and Links:
COMC Company Update for December 2021 (COMC Blog)
PSA’s Parent Company Buys Card Ladder (Sports Collectors Daily)
Puck Junk Bad Hockey Card Hall of Fame: Class of 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020
Marc-Andre Fleury wins 500th Game (NBC Chicago)
My Husband, Marc-Andre Fleury by Veronica Fleury (NHL.com)
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Podcast opening and closing music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.
Love hockey? Join the Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube.
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■
Last week was a great week for milestones and great plays. Four out of five of this week’s takes are from those two categories. The last take is rather sad; it’s about Ben Bishop and an injury that will cost him the rest of his playing career.
I won’t keep everyone down in the dumps for too long. It’s the holiday season and there is still a lot of hockey to be played.
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Ben Bishop’s Career Has Come to an End”
For those who celebrated, I hope you all had a great Hanukkah. For those who don’t, Christmas is right around the corner. In this week’s column, I’ll lead off with my favorite topic, another big extension. This week’s recipient is none other than former first-overall pick, Jack Hughes. I’ll comment on Hughes’ newfound wealth as well as the most-recent player to receive the honor of a jersey retirement.
Those weren’t the only two things to happen in hockey last week. I’ll also take a look at the two new Stadium Series jerseys and a few of my favorite plays.
Happy Monday!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: The Jack Hughes Contract Extension”
A day late, but better than never! Last week was a huge week around the NHL. This week, I’ll share my thoughts on Evander Kane’s potential return to the ice as well as a dustup involving two of the league’s most frequent offenders.
On a lighter note, a few new uniforms were released last week and they are deserving of my attention. I wrote more than a few words about those uniforms as well another take or two.
Happy Tuesday and Happy Hanukkah!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Jerseys in Jersey and Happy Hanukkah”
In Episode #104 of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the just-announced 2021-22 Pro Set Memories Hockey set. They also discuss Topps Now Hockey Stickers and the Fall 2021 Chicago Sports Spectacular. It’s 88 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes and Links:
Topps Now Hockey Sticker Archive (Topps website)
Definition of “shovelware” (Urban Dictionary)
Sal’s ironic collection of Rene Bourque Artifacts Cards (Puck Junk)
Information about 2021-22 Pro Set Memories (Cardboard Connection)
Sal’s booth at the Fall 2021 Chicago Sports Spectacular (Twitter)
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Podcast opening and closing music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.
Love hockey? Join the Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube.
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■
In this week’s column, I’ll highlight two of my favorite players that have resurrected their careers this season. There were also a few notable milestones reached last week that I want to write about. Get ready for another great column and let’s have a great week.
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Career Resurrections and Milestones”