Topps Archives - Page 6 of 10

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):

1992-93 Topps Hockey Poster:

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: February 28, 2020

EBUG Sensation David Ayres, Plus YOUR Questions!

In this episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about Emergency Backup Goalie sensation David Ayres, who played for the Carolina Hurricanes last Saturday and was the first EBUG to record a win. Plus, it’s the debut of the Puck Junk Listener Mailbag! And we might have overdone it with the mailbag questions this week, as this episode is now 1 hour and 54 minutes long. But that’s OK, because it’s awesome. Don’t believe us? Well, click that “Play” button and find out!

Show Notes and Links:
Poll: “Your Hockey Team’s So Bad…” (Twitter)
Dave Ayres, 42, EBUG gets win in NHL debut (CNN)
The first time Sal saw Slap Shot (Puck Junk)
Upper Deck’s 2019 Sibling Sensations Hockey Set (Upper Deck)
Trading Card Database (link)
Last Sticker (link)
National Hockey Card Day – Trade Group (Facebook)
Puddy: “Gotta support the team.” (YouTube)
2015-16 Panini Anthology Hockey Box Break (Puck Junk)
2015-16 Upper Deck Full Force Hockey Box Break (Puck Junk)
The Inside Story on the Eric Semborski Hockey Card (Puck Junk)
Tom Fenton to Get an ITG Hockey Card (Puck Junk)
Here’s that awesome custom Tom Fenton hockey card Sal made:

Sal’s attempt to remove gum that was stuck to a hockey card (YouTube)
Sal eats 24-year old O-Pee-Chee gum and lives to regret it (YouTube)
1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Bill Ranford rookie card with gum stuck to it:

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. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: 1985-86 Topps & O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards

Episode #45: February 7, 2020

In this episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a long look back at the 1985-86 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card sets. They also talk about some new releases, including 2019-20 Upper Deck Allure. This podcast weighs in at 90 minutes, so get ready for an extra-large helping of hockey goodness!

Show Notes and Links:
2019-20 Upper Deck Allure Hockey Checklist (Beckett)
Mike Mondano making “Modano Face” (image)
That rare Zdeno Chara Day with the Cup card (image)
Some images from the 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee set:

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast intro and ending 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. ■

Every 1993-94 Hockey Card Set Ranked

The 1993-94 season was my favorite year to collect hockey cards. Everything about that season was just so right for me. I was living with my Grandmother and going to a local junior college, so my cost of living was low. I was working full-time at a card and comic book shop, so I could buy new cards at a deep discount. I had just gotten my drivers licence, so I could drive around Chicago to other card shops or local shows to find the last few inserts I needed for a given set. Plus, I was still promoting a monthly neighborhood show, so a lot of times people would bring me cards that I needed. My situation in life made collecting easy for me that year.

As for the cards themselves, the 1993-94 season was the last year before hockey card collecting got out of hand. Packs were still affordable, with most between $1 and $3. (The 1994 NHL Lockout would change that, but that’s a story for another time.) There were really no short prints, other than the odd insert, so sets were fairly easy to complete. There were some great insert sets, but not so many different insert sets like it is today, where you can buy a box of cards and get 40 different inserts across 10 different insert sets. There were five different card companies competing with each other, so they had to try hard to do better than one another.

For example, Topps finally got with the program and printed its flagship set on quality card stock, with gloss coating and full-color backs. The company also issued the set in two series, so it could include rookies and traded players in their new uniforms later on that season.

Unfortunately, there were some casualties. Pro Set had gone bankrupt in 1992-93, and while it tried to issue a set for the 1993-94 season, its license was revoked by the NHL. The NHL also mandated that companies could only issue two sets per season, so Topps had to jettison its unpopular Bowman Hockey set, while O-Pee-Chee stopped making its own smaller, premium “Premier” set, as the “Premier” name would be used by both Topps and O-Pee-Chee that year for their large, two-series card sets.

One addition to this year’s ranking is how each company included Alexander Daigle in their sets. Daigle was selected first-overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Pinnacle Brands — which made the Score and Pinnacle hockey card sets — had worked out a deal with Daigle, so that only they could picture him in a Senators uniform until he played in an NHL game. The other companies could not use a “Draft Day” photo, nor could they use photo manipulation to put his head on a different Senators player’s body. Thus, they had to get a little creative in how to picture that season’s hottest rookie in their hockey card sets that year.

As I have done with the 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 sets, here is my retrospective and ranking of every hockey card set issued in 1993-94.

Continue reading “Every 1993-94 Hockey Card Set Ranked”

Puck Junk Podcast: December 3, 2019

1999-2000 Hockey Card Retrospective

This week, Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look 20 years into the past and discuss the 1999-2000 season in hockey cards — from Topps, to Upper Deck to Pacific — and why that season is unlike any other when it comes to hockey cards.

What’s your favorite set from the 1999-2000 season? What trading card set, feature or gimmick would you like to see make a comeback? Leave a comment and let us know.

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

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

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