In this SWAGNIFICIENT new episode of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey card set. The guys also discuss Frozen Frenzy, the NHL waffling on pride tape, a record-setting sales of a Topps Now sticker (you know which one), and more. It’s 117 minutes of hockey goodness.
Show Notes, Links, & Images
Two New NHL Documentaries (NHL.com)
Sport Card Expo Toronto Website
2023-24 Upper Deck Series 1 Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Finally, here’s that Alexandre Daigle hockey card advertisement from 1993:
Plus: The Return of Topps Now Stickers
Episode #168: October 18, 2023
In Episode #168 of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the 2022-23 Black Diamond Hockey Card set. Other topics include the return of Topps Now Hockey Stickers and Game Dated Moments for 2023-24, Ebay’s revised policy for trading card listings, and how Tim organizes his Pittsburgh Penguins hockey card collection. It’s 83 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes, Links & Images:
The first six Topps Now Hockey Stickers (Topps)
Info on Game Dated Moments (Upper Deck)
Revised Policy on Ebay Trading Card Listings (Ebay)
Ebay Trading Card Conditions Explained (Ebay)
Connor McDavid “Gold Label Edition” SportsPicks Figure (McFarlane Toys)
A few Images of 2022-23 Upper Deck Black Diamond Hockey Cards:
2022-23 Black Diamond base card2022-23 Black Diamond Rookie Gems2022-23 Black Diamond – Exquisite Collection Rookie Card2022-23 Black Diamond – Team Logo Jumbos Autograph2022-23 Black Diamond – Diamond Might insert card2022-23 Black Diamond – Relics jersey card
Hockey fans loves free stuff and will sometimes go through great lengths to get it. How else do you explain thousands of fans lining up outside of the rink on a freezing February night a good 90 minutes before puck drop – all so they can get a free bobblehead figure that kind of looks like their team’s star player?
Pro sports teams know this all too well, or they wouldn’t do it. Suddenly, a game that may have not drawn a sellout crowd does – all because of a special hat, shirt, or whatever the Flyers decide to put Gritty on this year.
Since today is the start of the 2023-24 season, now is a good time to see what free goodies NHL teams have lined up for ticket-buying fans this year. Twenty-two out of 32 teams are planning at least one giveaway.
Bobbleheads seem to be the most-popular item, with 12 teams planning on giving out at least one, and 39 different bobblehead figures being given away across the league. The Kings have five bobblehead giveaways planned, including a unique Dia De Los Muertos Goalie Bobblehead figure. The Red Wings, Canadiens, Kraken, and Blues are all giving out four bobbleheads during the season. The Blue Jackets are giving out three bobbleheads this year, including a special Bob Ross bobblehead limited to just the first 500 fans who buy a special ticket package.
However, the Blues may have out-bobbled the competition this year with two of their planned releases: a bobblehead of Jordan Binnington on a motorcycle…
Binny on a bike!
…AND a Jordan Kyrou figure dressed as The Mandalorian – complete with removable helmet.
But a Mandalorian NEVER removes their helmet in the presence of others.
Now, THIS is the way!
The giveaway, that is.
In fact, Star Wars themed nights seems to be the way that NHL teams are trending this year, as nine teams are giving away some sort of Star Wars trinket to help sell tickets:
Carolina Hurricanes – Star Wars-themed item (TBA)
Columbus Blue Jackets – Star Wars-themed jersey
Florida Panthers – Star Wars Shirt
Los Angeles Kings – Star Wars Retro Tin Lunchbox
Nashville Predators – Star Wars Predators Jersey
New York Islanders – Star Wars Bucket Hat
Ottawa Senators – Star Wars Senators Puzzle
Philadelphia Flyers – Star Wars Poster
St. Louis Blues – Star Wars Jordan Kyrou Mandalorian Bobblehead
Other interesting, non-Star Wars items that teams are giving out this year include an Arizona Coyotes Kachina Trucker Mullet Hat, a Columbus Blue Jackets Nesting Doll Set, a Detroit Red Wings Gravy Boat, Philadelphia Flyers Gritty Earmuffs, a Pittsburgh Penguins Trapper Hat, and a Washington Capitals Sonny Milano “Chia Head.”
Below is a list of the best promotional items that NHL teams will be giving away during the 2023-24 season.
In the latest episode of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal Barry and Clemente Lisi ask their biggest questions of the 2023-24 season: how well will Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard play – and can his 1/1 rookie card hit six figures? Can the Golden Knights repeat as Champions? What will the Lightning do without Andrei Vasilevskiy? Plus, they talk about the upcoming ODR Hockey Heroes video game. It’s 90 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes & Links:
“Blog” was actually the Word of the Year in 2004 (Wikipedia)
ODR Hockey Heroes game trailer (YouTube) ODR Hockey Heroes Kickstarter Campaign (Kickstarter)
Download and play demo of ODR Hockey Heroes (Steam)
NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase (Sports Collectors Digest)
Follow Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Clemente Lisi on Twitter @ClementeLisi.
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube.
In this episode, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk all about the 2023-24 MVP Hockey card set, which is the first set for the new season. The guys take a look at the design, the inserts, the rookies – and the ridiculous amounts of cash money that the Connor Bedard redemption cards are selling for. Plus, they discuss the new Professional Women’s Hockey League, the NHL’s announced future participation in international tournaments, and the change in CEO at Leaf Trading Cards. It’s 76 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes, Links and Images:
2023-24 MVP Hockey Card Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Sal mentioned a goalie named David Altshuller – his name is actually Daniel Altshuller (oops!). Here’s the article about how Daniel Altshuller played zero games yet was pictured on over 80 hockey cards (Puck Junk)
Sal Barry and Tim Parish are joined by Paul Zickler, the Senior Sports Brand Manager at Upper Deck. Paul talks about the big changes coming to Upper Deck hockey cards starting with 2023-24 Upper Deck Series One. Paul also talks about some of the other new and upcoming hockey card sets. It’s 48 minutes of hockey goodness!
