Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
This week was a mix of highs and lows for the world of hockey. Legend Mike Bossy passed away, the NHLPA released its internal investigation into its handling of Kyle Beach, and a longtime play-by-play announcer made his final call. But a first-overall pick also made an impressive debut and women’s hockey might take a giant step forward next year. It’s all recapped in this week’s edition of Snap Shots.
I was so busy last weekend that I didn’t get to write my Snap Shots column for last week. So, this week’s edition has more “shots,” covering the last two weeks of notable hockey stories. But don’t worry — each “shot” is shorter and this will be a quick read. Promise!
Continue reading “Snap Shots: Auston Matthews Sets Maple Leafs’ Goals Record”
In Episode #113 of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish discuss the new 2021-22 O-Pee-Chee Hockey card set, including talk about all the different variants and Easter eggs. Other topics include the hockey world’s reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Blackhawks new General Manager, the Stadium Series, and National Hockey Card Day.
Show Notes and Links:
How to Remove Tape from Trading Card Top Loaders (Puck Junk)
Fat Guy Hockey Video Game T-Shirt Now Available (Puck Junk Shop)
Chicago Sports Spectacular March 18-20, 2022 (Show Website)
IIHF Puts Sanctions on Russia and Belarus (IIHF.com)
NHL Statement on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine (NHL.com)
Blackhawks Hire Interim GM Kyle Davidson to be Next GM (ESPN)
National Hockey Card Day Trade Group (Facebook)
April Fool’s Day O-Pee-Chee Cards (Puck Junk)
2021-22 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Checklist and Images (Cardboard Connection)
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 episode of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about what makes a hockey card a “rookie card.” Plus, the upcoming National Hockey Card Day, a recap of the Olympic hockey tournaments, the Blackhawks and Bobby Hull parting ways, and the return of Sean Avery.
Show Notes and Links:
Sal talked comic books on the 21st Century Boys ComicCast (Spotify)
Review of Sean Avery’s Autobiography (Puck Junk)
2022 NHL Stadium Series Time-Lapse (YouTube)
2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Platinum on e-Pack (Upper Deck e-Pack)
National Hockey Card Day 2022 (Upper Deck)
The same photo being used on 2 different Patrick Kane cards (Puck Junk)
Peeling the film off of 1994-95 Topps Finest Hockey cards (Twitter)
The pile of protective film that no one wanted to buy (Twitter)
Chicago Sports Spectacular Show March 18-20, 2022 Show (Website)
Tim’s Twitter discussion about hockey rookie cards (Twitter)
How Hockey Cards Led to the NHL Player Strike in 1992 (The Hockey News)
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. ■
Sal Barry and Tim Parish recap the 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend: what was great about it and what could have been better. Then, they talk about the latest Chicago Blackhawks scandal. Actually, make that two scandals: Rocky Wirtz’s tirade against media members, and sexual harassment allegations against the athletic trainer of their minor league team. Finally, they end with a fun debate about if it is better to buy hobby boxes or retail boxes of trading cards.
Show Notes and Links:
New “Fat Guy Hockey Video Game T-Shirt” on Pre-Order (Puck Junk Shop)
Interview: Randy Walker, Rob Lowe’s Hockey Double (Puck Junk)
Rocky Wirtz embarrasses himself and the Blackhawks (YouTube)
Blackhawks fire minor league athletic trainer for sexual harassment (ESPN)
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. ■
The NHL went on its All-Star break in the middle of last week, but that doesn’t mean there was any shortage of hockey news. Today, we’ll take a look at Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and his epic rant against the media, a recap of the All-Star Game and Skills Competition, the start of the Winter Olympics…and even more bad news for the Blackhawks.
Last week wasn’t kind to coaches and GMs around the league, as two of them are out of a job. I’ll share my thoughts on those two vacancies. More importantly, I’ll shed some light on two of my favorite positive storylines around the NHL and share a video that should provide you all with some laughs.
Happy Monday!
I didn’t pick the best week to go on vacation. While I was gone, the Blackhawks scandal developed in full, and Jack Eichel was finally traded. I’ll lead off with both of those topics in this column. As usual, I’ll share my thoughts on a few other notable stories across the NHL.
Happy Monday!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Blackhawks Scandal Continues and Jack Eichel Gets Traded”
Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk all about the 2020-21 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey card set; what’s great about it, and what missed the mark? They also pay tribute to Blackhawks goaltending legend Tony Esposito, who passed away last week. Plus, Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange’s retirement, the Dave Parker “hockey” baseball card, upcoming releases, and more. It’s an hour forty-five of hockey goodness!
Show Notes, Links and Images:
Goodbye and Thank You, Tony Esposito (Puck Junk)
My Quest to Own a Tony-O Rookie Card (Puck Junk)
Ted Lindsay: Remembering a Legend (Puck Junk)
Why Dave Parker wore a goalie mask (Puck Junk)
Sal’s 3 Box Breaks of 2020-21 Upper Deck Extended (first, second, third)
The Topps Project70 Dave Parker card with him wearing a goalie mask:
Some images from 2020-21 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey:
Zdeno Chara (base card)
Braden Holtby (base card)
Connor McDavid – All-Star Game (base card)
Alex Pietrangelo (“Plain Clothes” photo variant)
Bobby Ryan (French parallel variant)
Arthur Kaliyev (Young Guns rookie card)
Mika Zibanejad (2005-06 Tribute insert)
Auston Matthews (Ovation insert)
Mathew Barzal (SPX Finite insert – Spectrum parallel)
Bowen Byram (Rookie Class SE insert)
Ryan O’Reilly (UD3 insert)
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
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. ■
As the offseason continues to roll on, it gives the NHL time to get their affairs in order, too. Last week, the NHL released its vaccination requirements for all league and team personnel. I’ll start with my thoughts on those requirements this week. As promised, the remainder of my takes will examine some major offseason transactions over the last week or two.
Happy Monday!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: NHL Releases Vaccination Requirements”