Topps

Clemente’s Corner: 5 Hockey Card Collecting Predictions for 2022-23

October, as far as the NHL is concerned, is all about beginnings. It’s the start of a new season. After a long summer, fans across North America are excited to watch their favorite teams once again.

For those of us who collect hockey cards and memorabilia, it’s the start of a new collecting season. We’re all eagerly anticipating Upper Deck Series 1 to come out, scouring the checklist to see which “Young Guns” cards to gobble up and what will the inserts look like this time.

This is also a time for me to take out the crystal ball and make some predictions for the next 12 months. These are largely based on experience and observation – no guarantees that I’ll be correct – but it is something to ponder as you enjoy the season.

Collectors have already gotten a chance to whet their appetites with Upper Deck MVP, which is both affordable and plentiful (at least at my local Target), if you’re looking for a fun rip before the puck officially drops on the 2022-23 season.  

Here are five things to watch for over the course of the season:

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: 5 Hockey Card Collecting Predictions for 2022-23”

Puck Junk Podcast: The Mount Rushmore of Hockey Cards

Plus: The NHL ’23 Video Game Cover
Episode #127 – September 2, 2022

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish discuss and debate what four trading cards are THE most important, most significant, most iconic pieces of cardboard to depict a hockey player. Or rather, what four cards should be on the “Mount Rushmore of Hockey Cards.” Sure, you have to have the Wayne Gretzky rookie card up there. But what would the other three be? Plus, the guys talk about the upcoming NHL ’23 video game and how it will feature two cover athletes — including, for the first time, a woman hockey player. It’s one hour and 25 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes & Links:
I Was a Teenage Card Show Promoter (Sports Collectors Digest) 
Five Examples of the EA Sports NHL Cover Curse (The Hockey News)
1952 Mantle Sets Record at $12.6 Million (Sports Collectors Daily)
Zegras, Nurse Grace NHL 23 cover (ESPN) 

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk. 
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard (Instagram @flyingV2112)

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or Transistor. Subscribe to the Puck Junk Channel on YouTube.  

Connect 
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Support 
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Puck Junk Podcast: 2021-22 Pro Set Memories & Topps Now Stickers

Plus: A Recap of the Chicago Sports Spectacular 
Episode: #104: Nov. 24, 2021

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. ■

1988-89 Topps Hockey Cards Set Checklist, Details & Review

Neon and pushpins make this set stick around

The 1988-89 Topps Hockey Card set has a fun-looking design, some notable rookie cards, and a historically significant card, too. This was the third year in a row that Topps released a hockey set with 198 cards. In addition to the 198 cards, there are 33 insert stickers and 16 “box bottom” cards that were found in four-card panels on the bottom of display boxes. 

This set features bright colors and a quirky design elements. Notable rookie cards include Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan, Joe Nieuwendyk, and Bob Probert. The Wayne Gretzky card is significant because it is the first hockey card to use a press conference photo, as Gretzky was traded from the Oilers to the Kings that summer, and a photo of Gretzky suited up with the Kings was not yet available. 

Continue reading “1988-89 Topps Hockey Cards Set Checklist, Details & Review”

Puck Junk Podcast: The Duncan Keith Trade 

Episode #96: July 13, 2021

Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about longtime Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith getting traded to the Edmonton Oilers, and give their opinions about the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, Vladimir Tarasenko wanting out of St. Louis, and the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft. Then they shift their focus to trading cards and discuss National Hockey Card Day, Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey, and the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago. It’s an hour-forty of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes, Links, and Images: 
Oilers acquire star defenseman Duncan Keith from Blackhawks (ESPN)
What Haters Get Wrong about the Vegas Golden Knights (Puck Junk)
Topps Now Hockey Sticker print runs (Topps)
National Hockey Card Day images and retailer list (Upper Deck)
National Hockey Card Day trade group (Facebook)
National Sports Collectors Convention website

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: Upcoming Hockey Cards for 2021

Episode #95: June 17, 2021

Sal Barry and Tim Parish discuss upcoming hockey releases, such as 2020-21 Upper Deck Extended Series, plus the 2021-22 O-Pee-Chee, MVP, Upper Deck Series One and Topps Sticker sets. They also talk about this weekend’s upcoming Sport Card Expo Virtual Edition and the hockey autograph guests at this summer’s National Sports Collectors Convention. It’s 90 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes, Links, and Images: 
Join the Puck Junk Facebook Group here.
Register to attend the Sport Card Expo Virtual Edition (link)
41st National Sports Collectors Convention website (link)
Chicago Sports Spectacular website (link)
Dallas Sport Card Show website (link)
Topps Now Hockey Sticker Archive (Topps)
Dunkin’ Donuts commercial with bubble hockey guys (YouTube)
Interview with Billy Celio of Upper Deck (Puck Junk)
Images and details about 2021-22 MVP (Beckett)
Images and details about 2021-22 O-Pee-Chee (Beckett)
Images and details about 2021-22 Upper Deck Series 1 (Beckett)
State Farm commercial with Andre Dawson (iSpot.tv)

Pictures of the upcoming 2021-22 Topps Hockey Sticker Collection

The Young Guns design for 2021-22 that some collectors are criticizing:

The Gritty “Gaming” card that will be in 2021-22 MVP Hockey:

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. ■

The 35 Best Hockey Cards from 1990-91

Hockey cards exploded in popularity during the 1990-91 season. Baseball, football and basketball cards had steadily gained momentum during the 1980s. In 1990, it was hockey’s turn. Upper Deck, Score and Pro Set joined incumbents Topps and O-Pee-Chee to release hockey card sets that season. This resulted in an arms race between the five companies, who tried to outdo each other and make cards of the best prospects and hottest rookies before their competitors did. 

As a result, a slew of great rookie cards were issued that year. The 1990-91 NHL season had arguably the best rookie class of any year for hockey card collectors. The NHL rookie of the year winners from 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994 all had rookie cards made during the 1990-91 season. And over a dozen future Hall of Fame players had rookie cards in ’90-91. 

The downside was that most hockey cards from 1990-91 were produced in such vast amounts that it is considered the start of the “Junk Wax Era” for hockey cards. 

Yet not all hockey cards issued during the 1990-91 season are worthless. In addition to some great rookie cards, there are also some hidden gems and a legendary chase card. Plus, any card on this list with a high PSA or BGS grade can fetch a premium on the secondary market. 

But graded or ungraded, these are the 35 best hockey cards from 1990-91 that every hockey card collector should own. 

Continue reading “The 35 Best Hockey Cards from 1990-91”

Puck Junk Podcast: The Return of Pro Set Hockey

Episode #92: May 27, 2021

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the upcoming Pro Set Memories Hockey card set by Leaf Trading Cards. As fans of Pro Set cards from the 1990s, the guys have quite a bit to say about these new Pro Set cards, which will consist of autographs and serial-numbered buybacks. They also talk about the upcoming Sport Card Expo “Virtual Edition” and recent hockey card releases. It’s 85 minutes of pure hockey goodness. 

Show Notes, Links, and Images:
Join the Puck Junk Facebook Group here.
Register to attend the Sport Card Expo Virtual Edition (link)
Sal’s interview with Bobby Hull from November 2020 (Puck Junk)
Topps Now Hockey Sticker Archive (Topps)
2020-21 Upper Deck NHL Rookie Box Set (Upper Deck)
The rare Taro Tsujimoto card (Puck Junk)
Information about Pro Set Memories hockey cards (Blowout Cards)
1989 Upper Deck Dale Murphy error card (Trading Card DB)
1983-84 Steve Larmer and Steve Ludzik error cards (Puck Junk)
1991-92 Parkhurst Santa Claus card (Puck Junk)
Buy a retro hockey wrapper t-shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. 

Images of the forthcoming Pro Set Memories set:


Finally, the Pro Set Memories sell sheet:

Click to see larger.

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: Target Stops Selling Sports Cards

Plus NFTs, COMC & New Hockey
Episode #91: May 20, 2021

Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about Target’s decision to stop selling sports trading cards in its retail stores. Is the end of retail flipping? And does the hobby need retail packs, anyway? The guys also discuss NFTs, new hockey card releases and Tim FINALLY getting his order from COMC six months later. It’s 80 minutes of hockey goodness.

Show Notes and Links:
Dapper Labs Lawsuit Story (Coindesk)
New Jersey Devils NFT coins (Twitter)
Topps Now Hockey Sticker Archive (Topps)
President’s Choice Trading Cards “Roots” cards (PCTC)
Dispute Over Cards Leads to Gun… (Sports Collectors Daily)
Target Stops Selling Cards, Citing Safety Concerns (NY Times)
Rate our show and write us a review on Apple Podcasts

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 new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube. 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: 1990-91 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey

Part 2 of the ’90-91 Retrospective Series
Episode #90: April 28, 2021

Thirty years ago was the “Hockey Card Explosion,” when hockey cards skyrocketed in popularity as several new companies entered the market. In the second part of this podcast series, Sal Barry and Tim Parish examine the often-overlooked 1990-91 Topps and O-Pee-Chee sets, including the insert sets and box bottom cards. 

Show Notes, Links and Images:
Write us a review at Apple Podcasts (link)
1990-91 Topps Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
The Card Shop in the Basement of the Hat Store (Puck Junk) 
Chicago Blackhawks – Minnesota North Stars Pregame Brawl (YouTube)
1990-91 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Images 

1990-91 Topps #120 – Wayne Gretzky

1990-91 Topps #120 – Wayne Gretzky (back)

1990-91 Topps #348- Mike Modano (Rookie Card)

1990-91 Topps #175- Mario Lemieux

1990-91 Topps #175- Mario Lemieux (back)

1990-91 Topps Team Scoring Leaders Inserts #14 – Joe Sakic

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #527 – Wayne Van Dorp (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #527 – Wayne Van Dorp (Rookie Card)
Note the text on the back that refers to the pregame brawl.

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #436- Alain Chevrier

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #430- Tim Cheveldae (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #77 – Brett Hull…what a great smile! 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #461 – Tim Watters  (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #1 – Wayne Gretzky “Number One”

 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #522 – Wayne Gretzky (Art Ross Trophy Winner)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #262 – Buffalo Sabres

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #75 – John Vanbiesbrouck

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #131 – James Patrick; note the incorrect border colors

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #214 – Jim Waite Top Prospect (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #19R - Sergei Fedorov

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army Inserts #19R – Sergei Fedorov (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army Inserts #17R – Viktor Tikhonov (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army Inserts #7R – Arturs Irbe (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red #501 – Arturs Irbe – AGAIN! (RC)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #485 – Sergei B. Makarov (RC)
Not to be confused with 1990 Rookie of the Year Sergei Makarov

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee #445 – Sergei Mylnikov (Rookie Card)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Box Bottoms #G – Mario Lemieux 

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Factory Set
Top Panel with Mark Messier & Nikolai Varjanov

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Factory Set
Front Panel with Bill Ranford (Conn Smythe Trophy Winner)

1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Factory Set –
Back Panel with some  interesting players shown.

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 new Puck Junk Facebook Group and subscribe to Puck Junk on YouTube. 

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