Amid the usual sea of Michael Jordan, Mark Grace and Walter Payton cards and jerseys, another – much younger – athlete was prominently on display at the recent Chicago Sports Spectacular.
Connor Bedard was very much on the minds and tongues of many at the three-day event, the Windy City’s biggest sports collectables gathering and one of the best-attended regional shows in North America.
And Bedard’s Young Guns card was hands down the most-talked about item – even by those who don’t typically buy hockey. It was a card that had shaggy-haired teens carrying silver cases scurrying about in search of it, while seasoned collectors shook their heads (some in disgust) at some of the prices in the showcases.
In Episode #182 of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about the Connor Bedard Young Guns rookie card that finally came out with the launch of 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey this week. They discuss some of the insane prices Bedard’s Young Guns card, plus the variants and the inserts, have sold for so far – and how and why this card is setting the hockey card market on fire. It’s 78 minutes of hockey goodness!
Show Notes and Links
The March 2024 Chicago Sports Spectacular Website (link)
Clemente’s Article about Connor Bedard (Sports Collectors Digest)
Connor Bedard Mania is Upon Us (Puck Junk)
Zero Game Goalies: Daniel Altschuller (Puck Junk)
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Newsletter (link)
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.
Plus: The $3.72M 1979-80 OPC Hockey Case
Episode #181: March 1, 2024
In Episode 181 of the Puck Junk Podcast, the guys talk in-depth about the 2023-24 O-Pee-Chee Hockey card set – and how the demand for Connor Bedard rookie cards have driven prices for that set. They also discuss the 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Hockey card case that sold for $3.72M, the 30th anniversary of “The Forsberg Goal” and more. It’s 1 hour and 55 minutes of hockey goodness.
Links 1979-80 OPC Case Sells for $3.72M at Auction (Sports Collectors Daily)
The Fake Wayne Gretzky Indianapolis Racers Card (Puck Junk)
Peter Forsberg’s Goal from the 1994 Winter Olympics (YouTube)
2023-24 Upper Deck Star Rookies Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Clemente’s article about European card shows (Sports Collectors Digest)
2023-24 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Newsletter here
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.
It’s a mad, mad world we hockey card collectors are living in right now. Earlier this month, the hobby got turned on it’s head – again! – thanks, in large part, to the hype surrounding Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard.
Upper Deck released its 2023-24 O-Pee-Chee Hockey set on February 7. Traditionally, OPC is issued at the start of the season and does not include any of the “big name” rookies, who would normally get OPC cards later in the year as a part of an update set.
But this year, OPC was released mid-season. That means that Upper Deck could include Connor Bedard in the ’23-24 OPC set – and boy, did they ever!
Plus: Connor Bedard’s OPC RC is on Fire!
Episode #179: February 17, 2024
In the latest episode of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal and Tim talk all about the 2023-24 Topps NHL Sticker Collection. They also talk about the insane prices that Connor Bedard’s O-Pee-Chee Marquee Rookie card is selling for, the Penguins retiring Jaromir Jagr’s number 68, and more. It’s 95 minutes of hockey goodness!
Links Upper Deck My MVP Contest Website LastSticker.com is a great site for trading duplicate stickers with others
Follow Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.1993-94
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.
This week, the guys talk all about the upcoming 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Young Guns rookie cards, discuss how much Connor Bedard’s Young Guns rookie card will sell for at launch, and which other rookies will be worth adding to your collection. Plus, the new 2024 NHL All-Star jerseys inflicted on us by Justin Bieber. It’s one hour of hockey goodness.
Links
The Russian Penguins: An Oral History (The Hockey News)
2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 Young Guns Checklist (Puck Junk Newsletter)
2024 NHL All-Star Jerseys Designed by Bieber’s Fashion Label (NHL.com)
And here’s that wacky Leafs jersey designed by Bieber (NHL.com)
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.
Plus: The Problem with ESPN+
Episode #171: December 8, 2023
Sal Barry, Tim Parish, and Clemente Lisi talk about a bunch of topics – including the Corey Perry fiasco, the problem with ESPN+, Patrick Kane signing with the Red Wings, Tristan Jarry’s goalie goal, Black Friday purchases, and more. It’s TWO HOURS of hockey goodness!
Plus: The Return of NHL SportsPicks
Episode #166: September 29, 2023
In Episode #166, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the new 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey card set, including what’s great about it, what could be better, and strategies for completing a set. They also discuss the new NHL SportsPicks figures by McFarlane Toys, Brad Marchand being named team captain of the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock getting fired for doing Mike Babcock things, and more! It’s 100 minutes of hockey goodness.
Show Notes, Links and Images: Todd McFarlane Interview (Puck Junk)
The National Picks Chicago as Site for 2026 (Twitter)
Panini Stickers Feature on 60 Minutes (YouTube)
A few images from 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey:
2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe base card2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe base card (back)2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe short-printed rookie card2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – 2013 Retro 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – 1998-99 Retro2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – Aspects 2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – Premium Prospects2022-23 Skybox Metal Universe – All-Starring
