2023-24

Puck Junk Podcast: 2023-24 Credentials Hockey Cards

Plus: Our All-Time Favorite Young Guns
Episode #201: September 28, 2024

Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about the 2023-24 Credentials Hockey card set, which boasts a 1990s aesthetic and has some great inserts. But will collectors love – or overlook – this late-season release? Plus, the guys talk about their favorite Young Guns rookie cards of all-time, the new Fanatics’ NHL jerseys, and more. It’s 95 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes and Links
2023-25 Credentials Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Dallas Sports Card Show Chicago (Dallas Card Show Website)

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Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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2023-24 Upper Deck AHL Hockey Cards Box Break

Many collectors overlook minor league hockey cards – and that is a shame, because the 2023-24 AHL hockey card set by Upper Deck is definitely worth a look. It is a great mix of up-and-coming NHL prospects along with longtime AHL stars. The set consists of 100 base cards plus 50 short printed “Star Rookies,” and has a fabulous, old-school design. 

The 2023-24 Upper Deck AHL set was released mid-July, well after the ’23-24 season had ended – and that is a good thing, as the later release date allowed Upper Deck to get up-to-date photos of players with their current teams. No outdated photos here. 

Another great feature of the 2023-24 Upper Deck AHL set is its retro-esque design Cards are printed on low-gloss stock much like today’s O-Pee-Chee cards. Anyone who collected hockey cards back in the 1980s, the 1990s, or even the 2000s would love the look of this set. 

A box of 2023-24 Upper Deck AHL costs about $60 for a 12-pack box. Each box has 10 cards, with an average of one autographed card and two numbered parallels per box. 

I recently opened a box of 2023-24 AHL. Let’s take a look at what was inside.  

Continue reading “2023-24 Upper Deck AHL Hockey Cards Box Break”

Puck Junk Podcast: 2023-24 Allure Hockey Cards

Episode #198: August 30, 2024

This week, Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about the 2023-24 Allure Hockey Card set, which looks great has a ton of inserts and oh, so many parallels. The guys also discuss the “Happy Gilmour” jersey that sold for $40K, and even talk a bit of baseball history. No joke! It’s 88 minutes of hobby goodness! 

Show Notes and Links
Babe Ruth ‘Called Shot’ Jesey sells for $24.1M (Sports Collectors Digest)
“Happy Gilmore” Bruins Jersey Nets $40K (Propstore Auction)
Sal’s tweet about the Connor Bedard Allure card (X/Twitter)
Sal’s second tweet about the Connor Bedard Allure card (X/Twitter)

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

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Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

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Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: Fanatics Fest NYC & 2023-24 Synergy Hockey Cards

Episode #197: August 23, 2024

In this episode, the guys talk about the first-ever Fanatics Fest, which was held in New York August 16-18. The show had its ups and downs and was a very different experience than traditional card conventions like the National. Plus, a long discussion about the 2023-24 Synergy Hockey card set. It’s 99 minutes of hobby goodness!

Show Notes and Links
Fanatics Fest NYC Delivers Glitz and Glamour (Sports Collectors Digest)
Why Fanatics Fest Was Better than National for Hockey Fans (Puck Junk)
“Heavy Metal” by Sammy Hagar (YouTube)
Four Hobby Phrases That Should Be Retired Now! (Puck Junk)
2023-24 Synergy Hockey Checklist (TCDB)

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

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Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

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Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 2023-24 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey Cards

Plus: More Sport Card Crimes!
Episode #196: August 16, 2024

Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk all about the 2023-24 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey Card set, which has yet to catch on with collectors, despite all the good cards packed into it. Plus, a discussion about recent sport card-related crimes, and a look at the upcoming Fanatics Fest. It’s 104 minutes of hobby goodness! 

Show Notes and Links
$275,000 in Cash Stolen from Vehicle at National (Sports Collectors Daily)
2 Arrested for Bar Code Switching on Card Boxes (Sports Collectors Daily)
Preview of the First Fanatics Fest in NYC (Sports Collectors Digest)
Video: WKRP in Cincinnati Turkey Drop clip (YouTube)
Video: Sal Pulls a Bedard Auto from ’23-24 Black Diamond (Puck Junk)
Upper Deck Answers My Burning Questions (Puck Junk)

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

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Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey Cards

Plus: A Look at the Upcoming National
Episode #194: July 12, 2024

In this episode, Sal Barry and Tim Parish finally give their take on 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey cards. Sal talks about the box of Series Two he opened, including the hits – and misses. Plus, a look at the upcoming 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, and what hockey fans need to know about that show. It’s 80 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes and Links
Sal Barry on the NHL ’94 Podcast (YouTube)
$2M of Cards Stolen at Dallas Show (Sports Collectors Digest)
DragonBall-Z “Over 9000” Reference (YouTube)

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

The 7th Annual Puck Junk Awards

At the end of June, the NHL doled out its annual awards, giving props to the best rookie, the top defenseman, and the most valuable player, among others. 

Unfortunately, the NHL overlooks other players who should also receive awards, but don’t – such as the player who came out of nowhere and impressed everyone, the player who can put up the points and their fists, and the player that everyone wants to punch in the face. 

That’s where the Puck Junk awards come in. For seven years now, this website has given shout-outs to the players who really deserve them. So, here are your Puck Junk Award Winners for 2024! 

Continue reading “The 7th Annual Puck Junk Awards”

Puck Junk Podcast: 2024 NHL Awards, Draft, & Free Agency

Plus: Trading Card Vending Machines?
Episode #193: July 5, 2024

Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk all about the 2024 NHL Awards, the NHL Entry Draft, and NHL Free Agent Frenzy – including some surprise free agent signings. Plus, a discussion about a vending machine that dispenses graded Pokémon cards, and other similar vending machines from past years. It’s 88 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes and Links
Gambling On PSA 10 Pokémon Cards in a Las Vegas Casino (YouTube)
The Star Cards Vending Machine (Puck Junk)
The 1997 NHL Awards (YouTube)
Brodeur vs. Hextall Table Hockey Game – feat. a young Drake (YouTube)
TSN “Tender” Tinder Parody for Available Goaltenders (YouTube)

NOTE: The Rocket Richard Trophy was donated by the Montreal Canadiens in 1999. Maurice Richard was still alive when the trophy was donated, but passed away before it was first awarded in June 2000.

The Rocket Richard Trophy

 

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 2024 Stanley Cup Final Recap

Plus: The Chantilly Card Show
Episode #192: June 28, 2024

Sal Barry and Clemente Lisi discuss the 2024 Stanley Cup Final: how the Panthers looked unbeatable, then the Oilers stormed back, then the Panthers finally getting the job done – and if Connor McDavid really deserved to be the playoff MVP. Plus, Clemente talks about his visit to the Chantilly Card Show last weekend. It’s 50 minutes of hockey goodness!

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

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Defense Wins Championships – But Offense Wins MVP?

The Panthers Win…and So Does McDavid?

Monday night’s Stanley Cup Final Game 7 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers was certainly…something.

Exciting? Sure. It was a close Game 7 that was decided by one goal. But honestly, I feel that a lot of the excitement was the anticipation leading up to the game, and maybe not the game so much.

Did the game have exciting moments? Sure, that mad scramble in front of the Panthers’ crease, where both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman were unable to tie the game, was intense. So was the breakaway goal scored by Oilers center Mattias Janmark. The game had its moments for sure. 

But the bottom line is that this was a game that was won by one goal because the Panthers played their suffocating style of defense, knowing that they could win the game 2-1 but not 8-7. 

And the saying goes, offense wins games, but defense wins championships.

Apparently, offense wins the MVP award, too. Continue reading “Defense Wins Championships – But Offense Wins MVP?”