Topps

2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #2

If you want to build a set of 2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers, you’re going to need to buy many packs. Considering that you get five stickers per pack and there are 630 stickers in the set, you would need to purchase at least 126 packs, or about 2-1/2 boxes. I purchased three boxes — each has 50 packs — and posted the results of the first box last week.

Opening packs of stickers is not for the “hit chasers,” as there are no hits to speak of. Really, a good box is one that has few doubles in its collation; a great box is one that has very few doubles from the previous box. Hopefully, this box is a “hit” by not giving me most of the stickers that I got in my previous box. So, without further ado, here are the results of my second box break of 2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers:

Continue reading “2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #2”

2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #1

I bought three boxes of 2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers way back in January, but a lot of stuff happened in my life that kept me from opening and sorting through them. When the NHL restarted its season in late July, I finally had the time and the motivation to open my sticker boxes to try and build a set.

The 2019-20 season is the first time in a long time that Topps made any sort of tangible hockey collectible; the company last made hockey cards for the 2003-04 season. Topps also made sticker albums way back during the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons. Over the past three decades, Panini was the preeminent manufacturer of hockey stickers until Topps got the license for the 2019-20 season. 

About 2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers

2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers cost about $1 per pack and contain five stickers: four regular stickers and one shiny “foil” sticker. Boxes contain $50 packs and can be bought from the Topps Online Shop. However, you can find boxes in the $30-$40 range on Ebay and from various online card retailers. 

Interestingly, the stickers come in foil wrappers that are “crimped” at the top and bottom, just like how sports trading cards are packaged today. 

There are 630 stickers in the 2019-20 Topps Hockey Sticker collection, so you would need three boxes to hope to make a complete set. Here is what I got in my first box. 

Continue reading “2019-20 Topps Hockey Stickers Box Break #1”

Puck Junk Podcast: July 16, 2020

1992-93 Bowman Hockey Cards

It’s been a little over a week, but the Puck Junk Podcast is back and at least as good as the last time! In this episode, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the upcoming restart of the NHL season, as well as the NHL Awards nominees. Then they take an in-depth look at the 1992-93 Bowman Hockey card set that is often overlooked because it was relatively underproduced. Plus, those gosh darn gold-foil single prints make it a pain to complete. This episode weighs in at 1 hour 40 minutes of hockey goodness. 

Show Notes, Links and Images:
Game Dated Moments for Week 40 (Upper Deck Blog)
President’s Choice “Journey” cards (President’s Choice Trading Cards)
Every 1992-93 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
1993-94 Topps Stadium Club All-Star insert cards (Puck Junk)
1992-93 Bowman Hockey checklist (Trading Card DB)
1992-93 Bowman Hockey card images:

#74 – Patrick Roy
FYI, this set uses the same design as 1992 Bowman Baseball.

#74 – Patrick Roy (back)
Click the image to see the “potato sack texture.”

#329 – Vincent Damphousse

#329 – Vincent Damphousse (back)

#11 – Garry Galley.
With special guest Wayne Gretzky

#162 – P-Dork!!!!

#302 – Jaromir Jagr

#32 – Guy Hebert RC
Hands-down the best rookie card in the set.

#356 – Dan Lambert
Rockin’ the rec specs!

Not listed on your checklist: #442 – Eric Lindros

#207 – Wayne Gretzky All-Star (Gold Foil)

#207 – Wayne Gretzky All-Star (Gold Foil) (back)
Even the foil All-Star cards got the “potato sack” treatment.

#241 – Kevin Stevens All-Star (Gold Foil)

#440 – Mario Lemieux Conn Smythe Trophy (Gold Foil)

#440 – Mario Lemieux Conn Smythe Trophy (Gold Foil) (back)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, 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: May 20, 2020

The Controversy of Cards with Protective Film

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish discuss the controversial topic of hockey trading cards with protective film on them. From the mid-1990s until the early 2000s, card companies would put protective film on premium cards to protect them from getting scratched. Collectors were split into two camps on this: some removed the film from the cards, while others believed that doing so would actually reduce the value of the cards on the secondary market. Sal and Tim also talk about the new hockey card releases this week, the potential return of the NHL — and Nordiques jerseys!

Show Notes and Links:
NHL considering 8-9 sites for season restart (NHL.com)
Avalanche may wear Nordiques jerseys next season (NHL.com)
NHL players who wore number 66 (Hockey-Reference.com)
President’s Choice Trading Cards “Equipped” cards (PCTC website)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moments cards for Week 32 (UD website)
And since we brought up 1980-81 Topps Hockey cards, here is a review of that set (Puck Junk)

Images of cards with protective film still on them:

1994-95 Topps Finest #34 – Chris Chelios

1994-95 Donruss – Masked Marvels inserts #1 – Ed Belfour

1995-96 Topps Finest #121 – Chris Chelios
Notice the discoloration (“greening”) on his face

1996-97 Select Certified #27 – Chris Chelios

1996-97 Leaf Preferred – Steel Inserts #7 – Chris Chelios

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG. 
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Custom Card: 1978-79 Topps Bobby Orr

It’s the 50th anniversary of Bobby Orr’s most memorable goal —  the one where he’s flying through the air and celebrating after clinching a Stanley Cup victory — and that got me thinking. Bobby Orr, the greatest defenseman to ever play the great game of hockey, never had a decent hockey card when he played for the Chicago Black Hawks. All of his card from 1976-77 and 1977-78 use photos that have been crudely repainted, while his final card from 1978-79 used a photo of Orr in a Team Canada uniform. 

That always bothered me. So, I decided to give Orr a final card that is more fitting for a player of his magnitude.  Continue reading “Custom Card: 1978-79 Topps Bobby Orr”

Puck Junk Podcast: April 17, 2020

1973-74 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

In today’s episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look back at the 1973-74 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card sets. They also get caught up in all the hockey happenings in the news. This episode is 1 hour and 35 minutes of pure hockey goodness!

Show Notes, Links and Images:
Video: Sal’s appearance on Pittsburgh Hockey Now (Puck Junk)
Jessica’s “Genuine Heroes” trading card (Twitter)
Kris Versteeg retires — again! (ESPN)
1973-74 Topps Hockey checklist (Trading Card DB)
1973-74 O-Pee-Chee checklist (Trading Card DB)
The story of Dale Tallon wearing #9 for the Blackhawks (Puck Junk)

Here’s Sidney Crosby with a dog:

1973-74 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card images: 

1973-74 Topps #162 – Billy Smith

1973-74 Topps #81 – Bill Barber

1973-74 Topps #149 – Dave Schultz (RC)

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #237Larry Robinson (RC)

1973-74 Topps #119 – Doug Favell 

1973-74 Topps #129 – Dale Tallon

1973-74 Topps #32 – Dan Maloney

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #3 – Phil Roberto

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #124 – Steve Durbano (RC)

1973-74 Topps #173 – Jean Ratelle

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #91 – Joe Watson

1973-74 Topps #31 – Wayne Stephenson

1973-74 Topps #85 – Dave Keon

1973-74 Topps #83 – Brian “Spinner” Spencer
(I accidentally called him “Dave” in the episode)

1973-74 Topps #10 – Ken Dryden

1973-74 O-Pee-Chee #121 – Mike Robitaille

…and the cartoon on the back. (More about that story here.)

1973-74 Topps #100 – Montreal Canadiens

1973-74 Topps #182 – Derek Sanderson

1973-74 Topps #15 – Gary Unger 

1973-74 Topps Insert Stickers – Bruins logo / Penguins flag

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

The 15 Best Hockey Cards from 1989-90

Hockey card collecting was on a precipice during the 1989-90 season. It hadn’t yet taken the plunge into the abyss of overproduction, inflated prices and rookie cards of practically anyone who got within 10 feet of an NHL uniform — succinctly known as the “Junk Wax Era.”  Hockey cards were rapidly becoming more and more popular, accelerated by the trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988.

Yet, only two companies issued mainstream sets that season. The 198-card Topps set was sold in the U.S. and its near-identical, though slightly larger, cousin O-Pee-Chee sold a 330-card set in Canada.

But if you dig a little deeper, you will find that there were many other cards issued that year that stray from the beaten path — from team-issue cards to minor and junior league trading card sets, to cards printed on the side of food boxes. 

Here is a look at the 15 best hockey cards from the 1989-90 season. Keep in mind that most of these cards aren’t particularly valuable, with most ranging from $2 to $5 each — and even that might be pushing it. Anyone with a love of hockey cards and hockey history should consider having these in their cardboard collection. 

Continue reading “The 15 Best Hockey Cards from 1989-90”

Puck Junk Podcast: April 8, 2020

1992-93 Topps Hockey Cards

In the latest — and dare we say greatest? — episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish look back at the “ugly baby” known as the 1992-93 Topps Hockey card set. They also discuss all the latest hockey happenings (or lack thereof) going on over the past week. Spoiler alert: they get off topic for a bit and talk about The Love Guru. You have been warned. This week’s show clocks in at 1 hour 49 minutes.

Show Notes, Links and Additional Images:
Puck Junk Podcast about NBC firing Jeremy Roenick (Puck Junk)
The National Sports Collectors Convention statement on COVID-19 (NSCC)
2019-20 Upper Deck Game Dated Moments Week 26 cards (Upper Deck)
1992-93 Topps Hockey Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Every 1992-93 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
Tim Parish’s blog (The Real DFG)

1992-93 Topps Hockey card images:

#1 – Wayne Gretzky, first card in the set

#529 – Eric Lindros, last card in the set

#166 – Mike McNeil, taking a sip

#318 – Dino Ciccarelli, scrumming it up

#318 – Dino Cicarelli, card back

#318 – Dino Ciccarelli, Gold Parallel

#318 – Dino Ciccarelli, Gold Parallel back

#414 – Denis Savard, just standing around

#406 – Gaetan Duchesne, sitting somewhere

#364 – Dan Lambert, wearing glasses

#501 – Bryan Marchment, wearing a half-cage

#522 – Frank Pietrangelo, in a deep crouch

 #9 – Nicklas Lidstrom Super Rookie

#265 – Mario Lemieux All-Star

#67 – Jim Thomson (RC). He later appeared in the 2009 film The Love Guru

1992-93 Topps Hockey sell sheet (via Trading Card DB):

Click to enlarge

1992-93 Topps Hockey Poster:

Click to enlarge

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: March 24, 2020

1986-87 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about the cancellation of the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships and two Ottawa Senators players testing positive for COVID-19. They discuss Wayne Gretzky breaking the all-time goal record 26 years ago, and how Coronavirus disease has affected the trading card hobby. Finally, they take a long look at the 1986-87 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets.

Show Notes and Links: 
NHL Provides Q&A Regarding Coronavirus Pause (NHL)
IIHF Worlds cancellation FAQ (IIHF)
Possible Names for Seattle’s NHL Team (Puck Junk)
Every 1993-94 Hockey Card Set Ranked (Puck Junk)
Video: Wayne Gretzky breaks Gordie Howe’s goal record. (SportsNet)
Picture: 1993-94 Pinnacle Wayne Gretzky Card #512 (Trading Card DB)
Picture: 1993-94 Upper Deck Wayne Gretzky “802” card (Trading Card DB)
Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo – Response to COVID-19 (Sport Card Expo)
1986-87 Topps Hockey Card Checklist (Trading Card DB)
1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Checklist (Trading Card DB)
Custom Joel Otto and Moe Lemay “Corrected” cards (Puck Junk)
Puck Junk Facebook Group (Facebook)

Here are some images from the 1986-87 Topps and O-Pee-Chee sets:

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Patrick Roy rookie card

1986-87 Topps Mario Lemieux – 2nd major card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Gary Suter rookie card

1986-87 Topps John Vanbiesbrouck rookie card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Wendel Clark rookie card

1986-87 Topps Dirk Graham rookie card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Steve Thomas rookie card

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Roberto Romano rookie card – love the alliteration!

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Joel Otto rookie card – ERROR – pictures Moe Lemay

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Moe Lemay – ERROR – pictures Joel Otto

1986-87 Topps Murray Bannerman – dig that mask!

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Box Bottoms Wayne Gretzky

1986-87 Topps Insert Stickers Michel Goulet All-Star

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Goals Against Leaders Bob Froese

1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Save Percentage Leaders Bob Froese

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Love hockey? Join the new Puck Junk Facebook Group 

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

Puck Junk Podcast: March 6, 2020

How the 1994-95 NHL Lockout Forever Changed Hockey Cards

Nothing had a bigger effect on hockey trading cards than the 1994-95 NHL Lockout. Because of the lockout, companies could make more hockey sets, hockey cards became more expensive and autographed cards became more commonplace. However, the 1994 NHL lockout was not without casualties, as some card sets — as well as other licensed NHL collectibles — were cancelled, while some contests and promotions were ruined. Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look back at the 1994-95 lockout and how it forever affected hockey cards. They also talk about the forthcoming David Ayres rookie cards and answer more listener questions.

Show Notes and Links:
Johnny Boychuk gets hit in the face with a skate (YouTube)
Jim Little responds to being fired by Ottawa Senators (Twitter)
The “Saved By the Bell” design of 1994-95 Score boxes (Trading Card DB)
Robin Lehner shows off a bruise from stopping a shot (Twitter)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

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